Firemen are used to taking the heat due to the nature of their work putting out fires. A Baton Rouge Fire Department captain is taking a different kind of heat following a recent arrest, however – the heat of unwanted attention, publicity and criminal charges. The captain, age 56, was arrested by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit in New Orleans on numerous criminal charges. Prosecutors have charged the captain with aggravated sexual battery, aggravated statutory rape, sexual battery and rape of a child.
The alleged crimes arose from the captain’s recent Memphis vacation. According to police, he was a fugitive from Tennessee and, upon arrest, is being held in New Orleans and awaiting extradition. He is currently absent without leave from the fire company where he has been employed since 1990.
These are serious charges that deserve a strong defense. It is essential to remember that the U.S. Constitution gives all Americans the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Should these charges proceed to a criminal trial, and it remains to be seen whether they will at this early stage, the captain will have the opportunity to tell his version of the events that transpired on his vacation.
A criminal conviction for sex crimes brings with it the possibility of serious penalties. From long prison sentences, hefty fines, and requirements of having to list your name on sex offender registries, the consequences are often severe. Furthermore, the allegations can be damaging to a person’s reputation and may cause significant embarrassment. It may benefit this fire captain to seek out prompt and aggressive legal advice.
Source: wafb.com, “BRFD captain arrested, charged with rape, other sex crimes,” June 26, 2015