MAMOU OFFICER SURRENDERS, ACCUSED OF POT DISTRIBUTION

VILLE PLATTE -- A Mamou police officer accused of distributing marijuana
from his patrol car while on duty last year was booked Tuesday into the
Evangeline Parish Jail.

Rollin Thomas, 28, 700 Main St., Mamou, surrendered around 3:30 p.m. and
was released on $35,000 bond, Capt. Mike Savant, the jail warden, said.
Thomas will be arraigned in state District Court at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 13,
said District Attorney Brent Coreil.

An Evangeline Parish grand jury on Monday indicted Thomas on four counts of
malfeasance in office, Coreil said.

The indictment accuses Thomas of:

Distributing marijuana while employed as a police officer. Distributing the
drug from his police car while on duty. Failing to execute outstanding
warrants and helping a fugitive accused of a felony avoid arrest and
prosecution. The fugitive, who Coreil declined to name, was later arrested
out of state. Giving information to people Thomas believed to have been
involved in criminal activity in an attempt to help them avoid arrest and
prosecution. The incidents occurred last year between March and November,
Coreil said.

If convicted, Thomas faces a possible maximum of five years in prison with
or without hard labor or a fine of $5,000 or both on each count.

Police Chief Adam "A.V." Fruge suspended Thomas two weeks ago with pay,
Coreil said. He said he notified Fruge of the indictment but did not know
Tuesday Thomas' status with the department.

Coreil said that his office began about five weeks ago investigating
allegations brought against Thomas by another Mamou police officer.

Explaining the time lapse between when the investigation began and when the
incidents occurred, Coreil said that "sometimes it takes time for
information to get to the proper authorities." He commended the Police
Department for its help in the investigation.

"He (Fruge) and his department not only cooperated fully, but were very
crucial in obtaining the information needed to get this indictment," Coreil
said.

Fruge could not be reached for comment.

Coreil said he could not comment on how much marijuana was distributed.

He also declined to say how the marijuana was distributed -- whether it was
sold or "transferred" -- or to whom Thomas allegedly distributed the drug.

He also declined to name who supplied the marijuana. Coreil said releasing
that information could jeopardize the case.

In a separate case on Monday, the grand jury indicted Andrian Allen
Charles, 22, 1214 W. Hickory St., Ville Platte, for cruelty to a juvenile.

Coreil said that Charles is accused of injuring the daughter of his
girlfriend on or around May 3. Coreil said that the child, whose brain was
injured, was diagnosed with "shaken baby syndrome" at Tulane Medical Center
in New Orleans. The child is now with her mother and recovering well,
Coreil said.

State District Judge Preston Aucoin raised Charles' bond from $2,500 to
$40,000.

He will be arraigned in state District Court at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 13.

The penalty for cruelty to a juvenile carries a maximum of 10 years in
prison or a fine of up to $1,000 or both.