Former state trooper pleads guilty in district court

The former Louisiana state trooper arrested on payroll fraud, malfeasance in office and conspiracy to distribute cocaine pleaded guilty Monday in 4th Judicial District Court.

Assistant District Attorney Geary Aycock said Ronald Thomas pleaded guilty to malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice and money laundering.

Thomas faces 20 years in prison and $40,000 in fines. Sentencing will be held Nov. 9.

Aycock prosecuted along with Assistant District Attorney Ellen Eade.

At the time of his arrest, Superintendent of State Police Mike Edmondson said information during the course of another investigation suggested Thomas might have been involved in illegal activity.

State police used a tracking device on Thomas's police vehicle to document his movements, the time he was at work, and activities they believe show he was conspiring with Leonard Dunn, 38, of Holiday Lane in Monroe, to sell cocaine that was reportedly obtained from the state police evidence room.

Before his arrest on March 19, 2013, Thomas was assigned as the evidence custodian for northern Louisiana investigative operations. The former sergeant was an 18-year veteran of the state police.

According to police, after months of accumulating evidence, troopers moved quickly to make arrests. Troopers executed a search warrant and seized nearly $50,000 in cash and a stolen weapon. Other items seized included a Chevrolet Tahoe, a Ford F-250, a Skeeter ZX190 boat, three four-wheelers and a utility task vehicle.

"It's a shame somebody employed by state police would give that agency a black eye. This is not typical of this agency. We're very proud of them for investigating, stepping up and cleaning their own house," Aycock said.

Investigators also arrested Leonard Dunn, 38, of 78 Holiday Lane, Monroe in connection with the case. Dunn was charged with three counts of distribution of marijuana and one count of distribution of Hydrocodone.

Troopers said Thomas conspired with Dunn to sell large quantities of cocaine in northeastern Louisiana, reportedly made attempts to warn Dunn he was being investigated and instructed Dunn to destroy evidence and dispose of money.