Louisiana 911 Staffer Charged in Selling of Crack on Duty

A former St. Charles Parish 911 operator, who allegedly sold crack cocaine from the parish's emergency communications center while on duty, was arrested Monday on federal drug distribution charges, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said.

Demond Boudoin, 26, of 124 Soraparu Court, Edgard, allegedly sold 178 grams of crack cocaine to undercover agents between May and September of 2006, according to an affidavit filed in federal court Friday.

Boudoin, who had been hired by the Sheriff's Office in 2004, was fired from the department in February on grounds that he was consorting with a wanted felon, Champagne said, but officials held off on the drug charges until Friday.

"We and the DEA didn't want to compromise an ongoing investigation," Champagne said, referring to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

According to the affidavit, an undercover informant and agents bought 178 grams of crack cocaine from Boudoin on five occasions in several months, including two incidents while Boudoin was on duty at the parish's emergency operations center, which dispatches emergency calls to firefighters, police and emergency medical services.

Champagne said Boudoin's supervisors became suspicious when he began meeting "strange people" outside the building during his shift, and began to investigate.

"This is one of the advantages of being a member of these federal task forces," Champagne said. "We're able to call in federal assets to assist us very quickly."

The affidavit, signed by sheriff's detective, Lt. George Breedy, said an informant alerted the Sheriff's Office about suspicious activities by Boudoin and on May 24, 2006, met him in Killona and bought 4.4 grams of crack for $200.

On Aug. 2, 2006, the affidavit alleges that the informant met Boudoin at his home in Edgard and bought 12.4 grams of crack for $400. A few days later, on Aug. 9, Boudoin sold the informant 23.9 grams of crack for $800, the document said

On Aug. 23, Boudoin allegedly took a break from his shift at the 911 call center to sell the informant 26.6 grams of crack. And on Sept. 2, he sold an undercover officer 110.5 grams of crack, according to the affidavit.

Champagne said Boudoin was being held on federal charges in the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility. Bond had not been set as of Tuesday afternoon.

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Matt Scallan can be reached at mscallan@timespicayune.com or (985) 652-0953.