Lake Charles, LA –
On February 27, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives began an investigation on Deputy Brian Dugas, 57, Lake Charles, after receiving a complaint in reference to indecent behavior with a juvenile.
On March 14, Dugas was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 4 counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. He was terminated by Sheriff Mancuso the same day. Judge Clayton Davis had set his bond at $250,000.
The investigation continued and on the evening of March 28, detectives issued an additional warrant charging Dugas, who remains incarcerated, with indecent behavior with a juvenile; malfeasance in office; 3rd degree rape; and 4 counts of possession of child pornography. Judge David Ritchie set his bond for those charges at 1.2 million dollars
“I am deeply disturbed and angered by the actions of Dugas,” stated Chief Deputy Stitch Guillory. “The safety and well-being of our community, especially our children, is always our top priority. His actions are despicable and intolerable and I am very sorry for these victims and their families, but I am proud of them for coming forward. We have multiple safety measures in place to ensure we hire quality deputies, and unfortunately in some instances, some choose to break the laws they are there to enforce. They will always be held accountable when they do so. I want to assure our community and our parents that we began working swiftly as soon as we received a complaint, and Dugas had no further interaction through our office with children once the investigation began. Detectives are investigating the claims thoroughly to ensure a complete and comprehensive investigation, just like we would in any other case.”
CPSO Special Victims Unit Detective Jeff Atkinson is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.