St. Landry Parish deputy and four others arrested in prison drug scheme

A St. Landry Parish sheriff’s deputy and four others have been arrested in connection with a scheme to bring drugs into the St. Landry Parish jail.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Deputy Timothy Lazare, 36, of Opelousas was charged with introducing contraband into a jail, conspiracy to introduce contraband into a jail and two felony counts of embezzlement in the exercise of his duties.

Lazare no longer works for the sheriff’s office, a spokesperson said.

The St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began the investigation after inmates asked for help and involved one of the jail’s corrections deputies.

The investigation led to the interception of a package containing illegal drugs, said the sheriff.

According to information obtained during the investigation, three detainees, the courier and Deputy Lazare were indicted in this case.

Narcotics investigators say this is still an ongoing investigation.

Anyone with additional information about this crime is encouraged to call the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office at 337-948-6516.

You can also call Crime Stoppers at 337-948-TIPS, download the P3 app on your mobile device, or simply dial **TIPS on your mobile phone to provide a tip. All calls are anonymous and you can earn a cash reward for information leading to an arrest.