Caddo Parish, Louisiana - A Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy was arrested Monday on an automobile insurance fraud charge after a months-long investigation by the Louisiana State Police Insurance Fraud/Auto Theft Unit, according to a state police news release. The deputy, identified as 50-year-old Frank Launer III of Blanchard, Louisiana, was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center following the issuance of an arrest warrant through the 1st Judicial District Court.

State police said the investigation started in May 2025 after the Louisiana Department of Insurance reported allegations that Launer committed auto insurance fraud. Investigators determined that in April 2025, Launer was involved in a motor vehicle crash while driving without active insurance coverage, then contacted an insurer to obtain a policy after the crash and reported the crash to the company later the same day.

Based on the findings, an arrest warrant was obtained for automobile insurance fraud, and Launer was arrested and processed at the parish jail on that charge, state police said.

Caddo Parish Sheriff Henry Whitehorn said his office “does not condone the alleged actions attributed to Frank Launer” and that he supports state police in the ongoing investigation. A state police spokesperson indicated that the sheriff’s office cooperated with investigators and that the deputy is on administrative leave.

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