DA SEEKS ORDER TO PUT DEPUTY BACK IN JAIL

AMITE -- A former Tangipahoa Parish sheriff's deputy arrested on drug
charges and released on his own recognizance may soon find himself
back in jail, according to 21st Judicial District Attorney Scott Perrilloux.

Perrilloux filed a motion Monday to require Angelo Domiano to furnish
a commercial surety or property bond. Perrilloux also asked the court
to take Domiano into custody to be held without bail pending a
contradictory bail hearing.

After the hearing, Perrilloux said Domiano should be held without bond
until his trial.

As of this morning, Perrilloux said the order hadn't been signed by a
judge, adding that Judge Ernie Drake is reviewing the order.

A criminal records clerk at the clerk of court's office said the order
hadn't been signed or filed yet.

The order will likely be filed by afternoon, Perrilloux said. If Drake
grants the district attorney's request, a date would be set for the
contradictory bail hearing.

Domiano has been charged with public bribery, malfeasance in office,
introduction of contraband into a penal facility and possession with
intent to distribute controlled dangerous substances. He was arrested
April 7 in uniform at the parish jail in Amite after he allegedly
bought cocaine from an undercover narcotics agent.

Officials at the sheriff's office said earlier today that Domiano is
no longer on the payroll. He was fired on the day of his arrest.

District Judge Doug Hughes initially set his bond at $200,000 but
later lowered it to $150,000. The case has been assigned to Judge Drake.

District Judge Brenda Ricks, the duty judge on April 14, denied a
reduction hearing for Domiano, reportedly because she wasn't the judge
who set the bond initially, according to earlier news reports.

The next day Domiano was released on his own recognizance by District
Judge Jeff Hughes, reports show.

The motion filed by Perrilloux accuses Domiano of using his job as a
deputy to sell drugs to the inmates of the parish jail. It also states
that Domiano could face a lengthy sentence if he is found guilty.

It also states that the flight risk for Domiano is high, due to the
high chances for a prosecution and conviction.

It further alleges jail and court personnel were endangered, along
with judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys who might have come in
contact with an inmate under the influence of drugs bought at the jail.

Perrilloux said the weight of the evidence against Domiano is great.
The evidence includes a taped confession in which Domiano allegedly
admitted to selling drugs.

The order calls for Domiano to be taken into custody immediately and
be held without bail, pending a contradictory bail hearing and after
the hearing he should be held without bond, pursuant to state criminal
code 330.1, until his trial.

Because Domiano was arrested for a violation of the controlled
dangerous substances law, he should be required to comply with the
mandatory pretrial drug testing program according to state law
provisions, Perrilloux said.

In the event the court determines Domiano is entitled to bail, the
court requires Domiano to furnish bail in the form of security
provided by commercial surety or property of sufficient appraised
value certified by the assessor and clerk of court to be of value
equal to or greater than the bond.

The order claims Domiano's assets are insufficient to fully secure the
state's liability, and in the event he fails to appear as ordered, the
court couldn't collect the bond amount from proceeds from his assets.
The defendant's personal bail undertaking does not sufficiently secure
the state as obligee on the bond.

In order for the state to be secured as the obligee on Domiano's bond,
he should be required to give security provided by a commercial surety
or property of a sufficient appraised value, the motion states.