LAPLACE, La. (BRPROUD) — The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested a former patrol officer in connection to alleged illegal drug activity in the parish.
Basil Trepagnier, 35, of LaPlace faces charges of malfeasance in office and criminal conspiracy. The sheriff’s office says he was terminated last week after 10 years with the agency.
On Tuesday, March 15, detectives saw Trepagnier spend two hours at Dawn Stipe’s Reserve home. Further investigation found that Trepagnier was at Stipe’s home for illegal drugs, specifically Valium, according to the sheriff’s office. Trepagnier allegedly has full knowledge of Stipe’s illegal drug operation.
The sheriff’s office said authorities conducted a search and seizure warrant at Stipe’s home on Thursday, March 17 where a package containing drugs sent from Bulgaria with Stipe’s address was intercepted. A search of the home yielded the following:
- 13 Doxycycline pills
- 123 Betamethasone pills
- 192 Prednisone pills
- 136 Promethazine pills
- 356 Paracofdal (Codein) pills
- 39 Lorazepam pills
- 58 Rivotril (Klonopin) pills
- 72 Zolpidem pills
- 210 Xanax pills
- 25 Valium pills
- 20 Diazepam pills
- 21 Zopiclone pills
“The actions of this former lieutenant are such a disappointment,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “As sheriff, it is my responsibility to ensure our officers maintain the highest possible level of professionalism and are held to the highest standards. Misconduct by officers will not be tolerated, and the St. John Sheriff’s Office will always hold its employees accountable anytime wrongdoing is discovered.”
Trepagnier turned himself in and was later released on a $15,000 bond, according to SJSO.
The investigation is ongoing.
