Baton Rouge, La. (9/28/2023) – Three Baton Rouge police officers are now in custody and the arrest of a fourth BRPD officer is pending in connection to a case that spans back several years.
One of the officers who was arrested Thursday is Deputy Chief Troy Lawrence, Sr., the second-highest ranking officer on the force. Lawrence joined officers Jesse Barcelona and Todd Thomas as they turned themselves in to a judge at the 19th Judicial District Court early Thursday afternoon. The fourth officer, Sgt. Douglas Chustz, has a warrant issued for his arrest on a charge of malfeasance, it was announced in court. He is expected to turn himself in at a later time.
Depuy Chief Lawrence was charged with malfeasance, principal to obstruction, principal to battery and principal to theft. At least two of the officers were accompanied by high-profile criminal defense attorney John McLindon.
McLindon told the presiding judge that the charges from the case were “three years old” and the officers are not flight risks and not a danger to the community. Both Barcelona and Thomas were placed on leave from the department on September 19. Lawrence was placed on leave earlier this week.
The Baton Rouge Police Department has scheduled a news conference for 10 a.m. Friday to discuss the arrests.
