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Man Accused Of Raping Two 13-Year-Old Girls Could Become Louisiana Police Chief
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ELIZABETH, La. — A Louisiana man facing two counts of second-degree rape could become the next police chief of a small Allen Parish community after his only opponent announced he was withdrawing from the race.
Christopher Paul, 48, is a candidate for police chief in the Village of Elizabeth.
Paul was arrested in September after Allen Parish authorities said they received a complaint alleging he raped two girls, both 13 years old at the time, approximately 20 years ago.
Authorities say the alleged offenses occurred between 2005 and 2006.
After interviewing alleged victims and witnesses, investigators obtained an arrest warrant. Paul later turned himself in and was booked on two counts of second-degree rape.
Paul has not been convicted of the charges and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The unusual situation surrounding the police chief’s race developed after Paul’s opponent, Zachary LaCaze, announced he was withdrawing.
LaCaze said his civilian security employment at Fort Polk created an issue under the federal Hatch Act and that he was forced to choose between continuing his campaign and keeping his job. He chose his employment.
Paul has said he intends to remain in the race.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office previously told local media that once LaCaze’s withdrawal is received, Paul would be elected to the position. Although LaCaze’s name may remain printed on ballots because of the timing, notices would inform voters that the race had been canceled.
The Secretary of State’s Office also confirmed that the pending charges do not currently make Paul ineligible to hold the office.
Meanwhile, the situation has prompted discussion about how Elizabeth selects its police chief.
The Village Board of Aldermen has approved placing a proposition before voters that would change the police chief’s position from elected to appointed.
Elizabeth Mayor Mandy Green has emphasized that Paul has not been convicted and said neither the mayor nor the Board of Aldermen has the authority to simply remove a candidate from the ballot.
A national youth violence prevention organization has also called for Paul to voluntarily withdraw while the criminal case remains pending.
If the current situation remains unchanged, the next Elizabeth police chief is scheduled to take office January 1.
Paul’s criminal charges remain pending.
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