PORT ALLEN, La. (WAFB) - UPDATE 8/14:The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says Lewis is now also charged with third-degree rape following additional evidence uncovered in the ongoing investigation. Deputies have also arrested Wyennetti Williams, 67, of Port Allen, on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.PRIOR REPORT:PORT ALLEN, La. (WAFB) - The former Mayor of Port Allen, Derek Lewis, was arrested Wednesday afternoo...
PORT ALLEN, La. (WAFB) - UPDATE 8/14:
The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office says Lewis is now also charged with third-degree rape following additional evidence uncovered in the ongoing investigation. Deputies have also arrested Wyennetti Williams, 67, of Port Allen, on a charge of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
PRIOR REPORT:
PORT ALLEN, La. (WAFB) - The former Mayor of Port Allen, Derek Lewis, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on felony charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile.
Lewis, 64, allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with an underage teen, according to sources. He is currently locked up in the West Baton Rouge Parish Detention Center.
The West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed to the I-TEAM that the investigation began on August 11 after a complaint was made about alleged sexual misconduct involving Lewis and a juvenile at their place of employment. Through the course of the investigation, detectives learned Lewis allegedly provided alcohol to the juvenile and engaged in indecent actions, the sheriff’s office told the I-TEAM.
Detectives anticipate additional charges and say additional arrests may follow.
In June of 2012, Lewis was sentenced in federal court to 40 months in prison and had to forfeit nearly $20,000. Lewis pled guilty to RICO, according to federal investigators, back in 2012.
Lewis was part of a number of officials who were convicted in a federal sting operation called “Operation Blighted Officials.” It led to the convictions of St. Gabriel Mayor George Grace, New Roads Mayor Tommy Nelson, White Castle Mayor Maurice Brown, and a number of other individuals who accepted bribes in exchange for promoting a fake company called Cifer 5000, which was set up by the feds.
Lewis was the first official to cooperate, and was praised by federal authorities at the time, and was given a much lower sentence than he would have otherwise faced.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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