Louisiana Police Officer Allegedly Coerced Woman Into Sex During Traffic Stop, Charged With Rape

A Louisiana police officer is facing rape charges for allegedly coercing a woman during a traffic stop into having sex by offering leniency.

Port Barre police officer Darwin Fontenot, 21, was arrested Friday on charges of malfeasance and third-degree rape for the March incident.

“The public holds law enforcement to a high standard and so do I,” Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said in a statement.

“Whether the sexual interaction was consensual or not doesn’t justify it. I will not tolerate such unprofessional behavior from our police officers.

“Police officers are trusted with great power and responsibility to do what is right and to be the wedge between right and wrong. That trust is tarnished when officers are unprofessional.”

The woman said the encounter took place on March 10 while Fontenot was on patrol along U.S. Route 90. He reportedly stopped her for speeding but found she was wanted for other violations after running her ID. The woman said Fontenot offered to turn a blind eye to the violations in exchange for sex, which she agreed to.

She filed a complaint with the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office over the incident, which was passed along to Chief Boudreaux on April 27.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office said that Fontenot admitted to “engaging in sexual activity” with the woman when asked about the encounter, but said the two met while he was off-duty. Boudreaux said Fontenot told him something similar in a subsequent conversation with the officer.

“When I spoke to Fontenot this morning, he admitted he did engage in sexual activity with the complainant but stated the two met up after he was off duty,” Boudreaux said. “Even if he was off duty, it doesn't make it right. An officer, nor any public servant, should engage in that type of activity of exchanging sexual favors for leniency.”

Fontenot was released Saturday on bond and is on “administrative leave” pending the results of the investigation.