Three from Louisiana, Including a Sheriff’s Deputy, Arrested After Corporate Investigators File Theft Complaint

Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana - Three people from Louisiana, including a sheriff's deputy, have been arrested and are suspected of theft and other crimes after corporate investigators from a business filed a theft complaint. 

On February 9, 2023, Louisiana State Police (LSP) stated that a local business filed a theft complaint with the LSP Bureau of Investigations/Alexandria Field Office (LSP AFO) in January 2023. According to the information presented, John R. Mayeaux, 76, of Plaucheville, Louisiana, Shantelle R. Turner, 37, of Marksville, Louisiana, and Isabella Ponthieux, 21 years old, all of Marksville, Louisiana, acquired things from the firm without paying.

In connection with the same case, the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office (APSO) reported on February 9, 2023, that on January 5, 2023, they received information from Dollar General Corporate Investigators regarding criminal offenses committed by an APSO Deputy and store employees at one of their Marksville, Louisiana locations. An immediate preliminary investigation was launched.

John R. Mayeaux, 76, of Plaucheville, Louisiana, an APSO Deputy working as a Court Bailiff, was placed on administrative leave pending a complete inquiry as a consequence of the preliminary probe. Marksville PD and APSO called the Louisiana State Police (LSP) and requested that they conduct further investigation.

The LSP AFO procured arrest warrants for Mayeaux, Turner, and Ponthieux based on information collected throughout the investigation. All three were arrested on February 9, 2023, and booked into the Avoyelles Parish Jail.

Mayeaux, who was a deputy for the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office at the time of the thefts, was charged with malfeasance in office, criminal conspiracy, and theft. Turner was charged with theft and criminal conspiracy. Ponthieux was also charged with theft.  Investigation assistance was provided by the Avoyelles Parish Sheriff's Office and the Marksville Police Department.

The bonds for Mayeaux and Turner were each set at $5,000.00. The bond for Ponthieux was set at $2,500.00. Mayeaux's job with APSO was terminated immediately.

Louisiana State Police was aided in its investigation by APSO, the Marksville Police Department, and the Avoyelles Parish District Attorney's Office.

Sheriff David L. Dauzat told the citizens of Avoyelles Parish that this type of conduct will not be permitted.

The Louisiana State Police will lead all investigations. The investigation is continuing and active.

LSP indicated that the online reporting system of the Louisiana State Police is readily accessible to the public via a convenient and secure form that is sent to the proper investigators. By visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the Suspicious Activity link, citizens can access the form.

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.