Livingston Parish corporal arrested after inmate files excessive force complaint

Image: LPSO

LIVINGSTON - A Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy has been arrested and terminated after video surfaced of the deputy smashing an inmate’s head into a concrete wall while she was on guard duty at the Livingston Parish Detention Center.

LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard confirmed that 35-year-old Corporal Karleen Leglue was booked on charges of second degree battery and malfeasance in office following her arrest Tuesday.

Leglue came to the attention of investigators after medical staff on duty at the time of the attack, examined the inmate and found the woman had a large knot on her head.

Surveillance video showed the corporal grabbing the female inmate and forcing her body against a concrete wall as she was escorting her in handcuffs at around 3 a.m. Tuesday. The inmate’s head then hit the wall, causing the large knot that would later be observed by medical staff at the prison, according to prison staff.

“The evidence supported the arrest that Coporal Leglue did intentionally perform this act in an unlawful manner. She is no longer employed by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office,” said Sheriff Ard.

Leglue was immediately arrested and fired after authorities saw the video evidence and medical staff confirmed the severity of her injuries. The corporal had been with the sheriff’s office in Livingston Parish since 2012.

Leglue was released from the Livingston Parish Detention Center after she posted a $35,000 bond.

“This is an unfortunate incident. It’s never pleasant to arrest one of your own, but this type of behavior will not be tolerated while I am sheriff in Livingston Parish. No one is above the law,” Ard said.

The sheriff said video of the incident will not be released to the public pending prosecution.