Former Booking Officer in Louisiana Arrested for Abuse of Office, Extortion, and Malfeasance in Office

Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana – A former booking officer in Louisiana has been arrested for abuse of office, extortion, and malfeasance in office after an investigation revealed she allegedly used her positional authority to coerce a first-time offender to provide her with funds.

The Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s Office (APSO) reported on January 23, 2023, that on December 12, 2022, they received a complaint alleging criminal offenses committed by an APSO Booking Officer employed at the APSO DC-1 Jail Facility. Authorities stated that an investigation was launched right away.

Hope Theriot, 22, of Simmesport, Louisiana, resigned and left APSO on January 6, 2023, shortly after speaking with an APSO Investigator.

The investigation reportedly revealed that Theriot used her positional authority to compel or coerce a first-time offender to provide her with funds she was not entitled to.
On January 23, 2023, Theriot was arrested by APSO Deputies for Abuse of Office, Extortion, and Malfeasance in Office, pursuant to an Arrest Warrant issued by a 12th Judicial District Court Judge, and booked at the APSO DC-1 Jail Facility. The bond was set at 20,000 dollars ($20,000.00).

 Avoyelles Parish Sheriff David L. Dauzat shared that he wants the people of Avoyelles to know that they take their oath of office seriously, and hold themselves to a higher standard. He went on to say that the public has entrusted them to perform their duties in a lawful manner with honesty and integrity and that this type of behavior will not be tolerated.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.