A Louisiana police chief candidate who is on bond after being charged with two counts of second-degree rape could still appear on the ballot in the upcoming election. Christopher Paul was arrested earlier this month after being accused of raping two 13-year-olds. Sheriff Doug Hebert said earlier this month that Allen Parish detectives recently received a complaint in early August 2026 that Paul, 48, had raped two girls in 2005 to 2006.
An arrest warrant was put out and Paul turned himself in on September 8. Paul was running against Zachary LaCaze, who dropped out of the race last week after being told to choose between his candidacy and his civilian security job at Fort Polk. As the news broke of the Police Chief candidate’s arrest, town Mayor Mandy Leo Green released a statement on Wednesday evening attempting to alleviate concerns.
She wrote on Facebook that “charges are allegations, not a conviction.” “The candidate in question has been arrested and charged, but has not been convicted of any crime. Under the law, anyone accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This is an important part of our justice system,” Green added.
She noted that neither the Mayor’s office nor the Board of Aldermen can alter the ballot and that they have no authority to disqualify or remove any candidate. Together with the Board of Aldermen, we remain committed to total transparency, maintaining an open-door policy, and navigating these circumstances together with you,” she explained. Newsweek reached out to the Mayor and Allen Parish Police Department via email for comment.
Matters have been made more complicated as Zach LaCaze, who was running against Paul in the race to become Police Chief, announced he was stepping down on September 23. I wanted the opportunity to serve my hometown and the people I love.” He explained that he was informed he could not continue his campaign while keeping his civilian security job. My full-time job is what provides for my wife and son, and I cannot take that away from them,” LaCaze said.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: John Fitzpatrick and Cristina Diciu.
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