Louisiana parish deputy accused of rape, domestic violence

(Original Post 1-15-07)

A St. John The Baptist Parish sheriff's deputy is facing charges of aggravated rape, forcible rape, sexual battery, simple battery and malfeasance in office for the alleged sexual assaults of several women and domestic violence against his girlfriend.

One of the women, Lisa St. Martin, 30, of LaPlace, who claimed Schaeffer tried to sexually assault her behind the parish jail last year, said a grand jury subpoenaed her to testify against him.

According to the New Orleans Times Picayune's Grand jury considers rape case against ex-deputy:

Grand jury proceedings are private, but several people close to the investigation confirmed that a panel was hearing testimony on the case Monday. Schaeffer, a 16-year veteran with the Sheriff's Office, was fired Oct. 17 for "unbecoming conduct," Sheriff Wayne L. Jones said.

Another woman, Tracey Mutz, a former girlfriend of Schaeffer's who claims Jones did not take her accusations of domestic violence seriously, said Schaeffer was indicted late Monday evening.
Mutz said an attorney from the state's attorney general office held a meeting with her and the other women and told them that Schaeffer was being taken into custody. Mutz said they were told that Schaeffer will be charged with aggravated rape, attempted sexual battery and second-degree battery and held in lieu of $235,000 bond.

A spokeswoman from the attorney general's office said Monday that she did not know whether Schaeffer was indicted because the office closed Monday for the inauguration of Attorney General James "Buddy" Caldwell. Schaeffer and Jones could not be reached for comment.

The allegations by Mutz triggered an investigation by the Louisiana state police, and another woman linked to Schaffer's complaint was found. Schaffer failed ppolygraph tests related to both incidents, and was originally placed on paid leave. A week later, he was fired. District Attorney John Crum recused him self, and the State Attorney's Office will be in charge of the investigation.

"It's very emotional," Mutz said of the news of the indictment. "I can't even explain the way I feel; I'm sad but I'm relieved -- he won't be able to hurt anyone else. It's hopefully the beginning of the end.

(Update 1-16-07)

Schaeffer's bond was raised to $335,000 after being considered a flight risk by State District Judge J. Sterling Snowdy, and Snowdy issued a no-contact order on behalf of the women. Patrols around their homes were increased.

State Police and St. John deputies arrested Schaeffer on Monday. According to the indictment, Schaeffer is charged with one count of aggravated rape in connection with a November 2005 incident that involved Mutz, and one count of second-degree battery in connection with a May 2006 incident that involved Mutz. Mutz has said Schaeffer repeatedly hit her during their two-year relationship, beginning in July 2004. She alleges that he broke her hip, raped her at gunpoint and threatened to kill her.

Jones said Schaeffer was placed in a cell apart from the rest of the prison population.
As a safety precaution, plans were in the works Tuesday to transfer Schaeffer to another facility so he would not be incarnated with people he may have arrested, Jones said.
When asked what the mood was in the department after news of Schaeffer's arrest, Jones said employees were mostly surprised.

(Update 3-1-07)

On Monday, February 25, Schaeffer was released on $335,000 bond, though he was ordered not to leave St. John the Baptist Parish until the device was installed. Prosecutors had also sought a hearing on whether Schaeffer's bond was valid, but District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel postponed the hearing until March 5.