The arrest of top deputies St. Charles could involve the hunting camp | Crime/Police

St. Parish Sheriff’s Office Charles has remained largely mum about the criminal investigation that led to the arrest of three former high-ranking employees last week, including the department’s longtime second-in-command.

But Metropolitan Crime Commission Chairman Rafael Goyeneche said this week that the investigation was likely related to an anonymous letter accusing the trio of taking department equipment and co-workers’ time for their own personal use.

The letter, sent to the commission last July, claims former Deputy Chief Rodney Madere Jr., Capt. Derek Pertuis and Sgt. Zain Stillinger used Sheriff’s Office construction equipment to perform maintenance at Madere’s hunting camp in Mississippi. The letter also said officers used department equipment to print fake parking passes on tailgates at LSU football games.

Madere, 59, Pertuis, 43, and Stillinger, 38, were charged last Thursday with abuse of office, theft over $25,000 and 26 counts of payroll fraud. Madere, who served as chief deputy for 10 years, was also convicted of obstruction of justice.

In announcing the arrests, the Sheriff’s Office said only that the investigation involved “misappropriation/misuse of Sheriff’s resources, equipment and manpower.” Officials declined to comment further Monday.

Madere’s attorney, Scott Stansbury, also declined to comment. Pertuis and Stillinger could not be reached.

Personal use

The three-page letter, addressed to “the sheriff,” was mailed to Sheriff Greg Champagne about two months before it was sent to the commission in July 2023, according to Goyeneche.

The informant claimed a skid steer that was reported stolen and later recovered by the sheriff’s office was taken to a hunting camp in Lumberton, Mississippi, owned by Madere. The loader, a kind of mini bulldozer, was unclaimed because the rightful owner had already been paid for the loss by insurance, the writer said.

Instead of auctioning off the loader, it was used to maintain Madere’s camp, which was frequented by Stillinger and Pertuis. Taxpayers even paid to fix the charger when it was broken, according to the letter.

The document also detailed how Madere, Pertuis and Stillinger allegedly used the Sheriff’s Office printing press to create counterfeit LSU signs, banners and even parking permits, according to Goyeneche.

“They used the machine shop to build tailgate grills and stuff,” he said.

Photos taken from the Facebook pages of the MPs and their relatives were included in the letter as evidence. They appear to show Madere on the minivan, a metal grill made by Sheriff’s Office employees and an aluminum cover that is believed to have been made for Madere’s pontoon boat.

The letter goes on to accuse the three of making personal trips to LSU games in department vehicles and maintaining personal vehicles at the department’s motor pool.

Others involved?

The informant said there were others under Madere’s command who took advantage of sheriff’s office equipment or ran personal errands while being paid by the department.

They too should face justice, Goyeneche said.

Pertuis was fired from the department in March, according to the sheriff’s office. Stillinger resigned in February while under investigation.

Madere, who was replaced as chief deputy in October, resigned in February while under investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Goyeneche said he has questions about when the sheriff’s office actually opened its investigation.

“Why did it take so long?” Goyeneche asked.

He also questions whether the Sheriff’s Office noted in the officers’ personnel files that they resigned while they were under investigation.

“It’s extremely important,” Goyeneche said. “Many sheriff’s offices allow some of the troubled officers to resign in lieu of arrest so they don’t get embarrassed by it.”

Without grading, those officers can apply and be hired by other agencies without their future employers becoming aware of the alleged wrongdoing.

“The (St. Charles Parish) DA’s office will now have to review this case and decide whether they will prosecute or if they believe there is a conflict or the appearance of a conflict that would require them to recuse themselves.” Goyeneche said.

If so, the case will be forwarded to the attorney general for prosecution, he said.

District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson’s office said Tuesday it has no comment on the matter. It is unclear if trial dates have been set for the defendants.