Public Information Officer
Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux
Phone 337-948-6516
Fax 337-407-9458
Press Release: March 30, 2022
************************************************************************
ARRESTED:
Nicholas Richard Veale, age 34
ADDRESS:
513 St. Patrick Avenue
Opelousas, LA., 70570
CHARGE:
Simple Battery
Malfeasance in Office
TOTAL BOND: $3,000
*******************************************************************
ST. LANDRY PARISH CORRECTIONS DEPUTY ARRESTED FOR MALFEASANCE IN OFFICE
According to Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, “During the evening hours of December 12, 2021, the victim, who was then incarcerated at the St. Landry Parish Jail, was being combative with the officers and placed in the restraint chair, which would prevent the victim from harming himself or others. Nicholas Richard Veale was employed at the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office as a correctional deputy.”
Upon further investigation, it was learned that the victim was wearing hand restraints at the time of this incident. While the victim was seated in the restraint chair, but not belted into place, Nicholas Richard Veale struck the victim in the abdomen twice with a closed fist. Deputies who were present immediately stopped Nicholas Veale and pushed him away from the victim. After review of the security video footage and after receiving statements from all deputies who were present at the time of the incident, an internal investigation was immediately ordered by the Jail Command staff.
Nicholas Veale voluntarily resigned his position with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office on December 13, 2021. After the internal investigation was concluded, an arrest warrant was issued for Nicholas Veale on March 9, 2022. Detectives with the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office made numerous attempts to contact Nicholas Veale in regards to the arrest warrant, but were unsuccessful.
On March 28, 2022, Nicholas Richard Veale was booked into the St. Landry Parish Jail and charged with simple battery and malfeasance in office.
Sheriff Guidroz stated, “It is very troubling to me that one of my own deputies would mistreat any person who is incarcerated, especially when we strive to treat all incarcerated persons with dignity and respect. However, none of my deputies are above the law. If any Sheriff’s Office employee commits a criminal act on or off duty, they will be arrested and charged for the crime.”
On behalf of Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, this is Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux.
