It is not necessarily uncommon for authorities to bring additional charges against a person after an initial investigation turns into an arrest. In mid-September, we discussed the arrest of a former Ascension Parish deputy on allegations that he had engaged in indecent behavior with a juvenile. The 24-year-old Gonzales, Louisiana, resident was released from custody on the sex crime charges after posting bond in late September.
He is now apparently back in custody as officers arrested him on new charges October 8. Authorities claim that an investigation of electronic devices, including laptops and cellphones, uncovered new evidence.
The man was originally arrested in September after police fielded a tip that the man had been texting with a 15-year-old. At some point, authorities apparently raided the man’s home as law enforcement says that an investigation of the electronic devices seized during the search of his home has turned up new evidence of child pornography.
Officials re-arrested the man Tuesday; alleging new evidence exists to increase his criminal liability. Ascension Parish officials accuse the man of more than 300 new counts of unlawful possession of child porn. The former deputy was booked into jail with bond set at $76,000.
The criminal justice system has many levels. An arrest differs from formal charges. Similarly, once arrested, charged and freed on bond while a case remains pending, a person may face additional charges as authorities continue to pile on allegations. But, allegations, whether purportedly used to justify an arrest, or used as the basis for a charge, are not evidence of guilt. The prosecutor still has the burden of proving allegations beyond a reasonable doubt.
If charges pile up in individual cases the potential ultimate consequences that may follow a conviction certainly pile up as well. A person accused of one, or many crimes, still has the right to challenge the state’s allegations in court.
Source: WAFB, “Former Ascension Parish Deputy re-arrested on child pornography charges,” Matt Smith, Oct. 10, 2013