Lecompte, Louisiana - A former police chief in Lecompte, Louisiana, has been arrested and charged with malfeasance in office after an investigation revealed he had removed evidence from the police department's storage facility and taken it to his residence. Joseph Thompson, the former chief of police, was taken into custody on September 30, 2024, and booked at the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Jail.

The investigation, led by the Louisiana State Police Criminal Investigation Unit (LSP CIU), began in August 2023 after the Lecompte Police Department (LPD) reported that guns and narcotics were missing or improperly logged from their evidence storage facility. The LPD requested the LSP CIU's assistance in investigating the missing evidence, and the subsequent probe revealed that Thompson had removed multiple pieces of evidence, including guns, and relocated them to his residence.

On September 27, 2024, the LSP CIU obtained a warrant for Thompson's arrest, charging him with five counts of malfeasance in office. Malfeasance in office is a serious offense that involves the intentional misuse of power or authority by a public official. In this case, Thompson's alleged actions compromised the integrity of the evidence storage facility and potentially impacted the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The investigation remains active and ongoing, with the Louisiana State Police serving as the lead agency.

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.