Former Patterson Police Department Officer Sentenced for Civil Rights Violation
Prince Sexually Assaulted Victim While on Duty as a Patterson Police Officer
| U.S. Attorney’s Office August 18, 2010 |
LAFAYETTE, LA—Jeffrey Prince, a former police officer with the Patterson Police Department, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for a civil rights violation, United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today. Mr. Prince was also sentenced to one year of supervised release following confinement and was ordered to pay a fine in the amount of $2,500.00. The sentence was imposed by United States Magistrate Judge C. Michael Hill.
Prince, 23, of Patterson, La., was convicted by a jury on September 15, 2009, for sexually assaulting a female when she arrived to visit her brother, who was incarcerated at the time at Patterson Parish Jail. When the female arrived at the jail on May 18, 2008, she was told by Prince, who was on duty at the time, to remain in her car. Prince approached the car and sexually assaulted the woman. In an attempt to defend herself, she grabbed his wrist to move his hand away from her body, but he threatened to arrest her for assault on a police officer.
Prior to May 18, 2008, the female received an unsolicited telephone call from Prince who blatantly told her that he wanted to have sex with her. She refused and told him that she was not interested.
At trial, FBI Special Agent Don Bostic testified that Prince admitted that he may have brushed up against the victim’s breast and that he did feel her leg. Prince also admitted that he told the victim not to resist or he would arrest her but claimed that he was joking.
At sentencing, Magistrate Judge Hill told Prince that what he did was “despicable” and an insult, not just to the victim, but to all police officers who are dedicated to protecting the public.
U.S. Attorney Finley stated: “The vast majority of the law enforcement officers valiantly perform their duties. Officers like Prince who act outside the parameters of the law do a disservice to those officers and to the citizens of the community they serve. Police misconduct erodes public confidence and trust in law enforcement. This sentence should send a strong message that we take this type of activity seriously.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James T. McManus.