Alexandria police officer arrested, accused of lying to arrest person on felony
An Alexandria Police Department officer is being accused of lying about the value of stolen goods to charge a person with a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, according to Louisiana State Police.
Jim Lewis was arrested Friday by Louisiana State Police and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center No. 1 on charges of malfeasance in office and injuring public records. Less than an hour later, he left after posting a $2,000 bond.
The department asked State Police to investigate Lewis in June for the arrest of a suspected shoplifter, reads a news release.
It states Lewis was on duty when he saw a shoplifter leave an unidentified business. He captured the person and recovered the goods taken, releasing the items back to the business so he could get their value.
"As a result of the investigation and information obtained, it was revealed that Lewis falsified information to increase the total value of the stolen items," it reads.
A warrant for Lewis' arrest was issued on Aug. 3.
When asked if Lewis was the same officer named as a defendant in a federal lawsuit in November 2022, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Michael Caffery said it's "the policy of the City not to comment on any pending litigation."
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The city did include a statement with the reply, however. It states the investigation into Lewis' alleged actions began when "key city officials were briefed by our Commissioner of Public Safety," and that led to bringing State Police in to investigate.
"There will be more to discuss as the investigation moves forward but to ensure its integrity the City will await conclusion of, or additional milestones regarding, the process," it reads. "The city will not tolerate tampering with, and must ensure the integrity of, its sensitive records."
In November 2022, the city, two officers and former Chief Ronney Howard were sued in federal court over a June 15, 2022, traffic stop. The lawsuit alleges that the officers violated the civil rights of the driver, Mario Rosales of Roswell, New Mexico, and his girlfriend, Gracie Lasyone of Dry Prong.
One of the officers was identified as Jim Lewis.
The pair were stopped as Rosales turned left onto Dorchester Drive from Jackson Street. Rosales was ticketed for failure to signal, although dashcam video from the police car later showed Rosales had used his turn signal.
The charges later were dropped.
The lawsuit also alleges Lewis and another officer, Samuel Terrell, asked the two about drug activity, searched Rosales without cause and stopped both of them from recording any part of the traffic stop on their phones. The lawsuit accuses the officers of violating Rosales' and Lasyone's First and Fourth amendment rights.
A trial has been set for May 20, 2024.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria police officer arrested after probe into shoplifting arrest
