An Acadia Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been accused of smuggling contraband into the parish jail.
Sheriff K.P. Gibson said the deputy, Regina Senegal, 45, of Church Point, was terminated several weeks ago.
Senegal has been charged with one count of introduction of contraband into a penal facility and 1 count of malfeasance in office, Gibson said in a news release Friday.
“Over the last several years, we have made a lot of changes to our parish jail with the goal of reducing contraband being brought in. We have seen a drastic decrease; however we’re still locating various types of contraband during tier searches,” Gibson said.
Senegal is accused of bringing a cellular phone, tobacco products and other contraband into the parish jail and providing these items to inmates. One inmate has also been charged and other arrests are pending as this investigation continues.
“Our deputies must follow the law just as everyone else. I expect my deputies to be law abiding and represent themselves as professional law enforcement officer at all times. We will continue our efforts to assure that this type of behavior will be dealt with according to law for any employee who violates their oath and the law” Gibson said.