ALLEN PARISH JAILER ALLEGEDLY SELLS DRUGS TO INMATES

OBERLIN - A veteran Allen Parish jailer has been suspended without pay
pending court proceedings after being arrested for allegedly selling
illegal drugs and alcohol to inmates in the parish jail.

Raymond Cole, 45, of Oberlin was being held Thursday in the Beauregard
Parish Jail on multiple charges including several drug-related charges.
Bond has been set at $10,000 bond.

Charges filed against Cole include three counts of distribution of a
schedule IV controlled dangerous substance and one count of distribution of
a schedule III controlled dangerous substance.

He was also charged with four counts of introducing contraband into a
correctional facility, illegal use of U.S. currency and malfeasance in office.

Allen Parish Sheriff's Office spokesman Chuck Hurst said Cole, who was
initially arrested Saturday on one charge, was re-arrested Wednesday on the
additional charges.

Officials with the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office began investigating the
allegations in mid-July after receiving information that Cole was selling
illegal prescription narcotics and alcohol to inmates in the parish jail.

After a several week investigation, the Allen Parish Narcotics Task Force
made controlled buys of illegal prescription medication from Cole. The
controlled buys were made from within the parish jail.

Cole has been employed by the Allen Parish Sheriff's Office on and off for
about six years.