RPSO deputy arrested for soliciting prostitutes, other charges

The Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations has arrested Stacy Bender, 48, of Boyce - a deputy with the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is charged with malfeasance in office (6 counts), solicitation for prostitution (2 counts), inciting prostitution, obstruction of justice, and unlawful use of criminal records (2 counts).

Earlier this week, LSP received information regarding criminal activity involving Bender. With the assistance of Homeland Security Investigations and Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office, LSP launched an investigation into these accusations. The investigation revealed that he had an on-going sexual relationship with a female engaged in prostitution. Investigators believe that Bender was on-duty during the times that he was engaged in these criminal offenses.

Based on information obtained from the investigation, investigators were able to secure an arrest warrant for him. Bender was arrested at the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.

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The following is a release from RPSO:

"A Rapides Parish Sheriff's Deputy with over 17 years with RPSO was arrested today by Louisiana State Police investigators on various charges.

Stacy Bender, a Lieutenant in the Sheriff' Office Metro Division, was also terminated. He had been employed with RPSO since 1999.

'We hold our employees to a very high standard and the majority of them take their oath and their duty very seriously" said Sheriff William Hilton. "We stand firm in the belief that all employees’ actions will be held to the highest level and when they are accused of violating the law, they will be dealt with swiftly, professionally, and justly, just like everyone else'."