Three former high-ranking members of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff's Office pleaded guilty in a case involving theft and payroll fraud, our partners at NOLA.com report.
Rodney Madere Jr., who served as chief deputy, along with former Captain Derek Pertuis and former Sgt. Zain Stillinger pleaded guilty to felony theft, abuse of office, and payroll fraud.
The plea allows the men to avoid prison. The judge suspended a jail sentence and ordered three years of probation.
According to New Orleans Metropolitan Crime Commission Presidents Rafael Goyeneche, photos showed the three using sheriff's office equipment performing maintenance work at Madere's hunting camp in Mississippi.
The three were arrested in July.
