On June 5, 2018, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office requested that Detectives with the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigation conduct an investigation relative to a Deputy having knowledge of illegal narcotics use by inmates under his supervision at the Washington Parish Jail. The investigation has led to the arrest of Deputy Joe Wayne Sandifer.
The preliminary investigation revealed that Sandifer was aware of narcotics use by inmate/trustees assigned to the department’s motor pool under his supervision.
The investigation further revealed Deputy Sandifer had knowledge of inmates receiving illegal narcotics, which he would hide in his assigned department vehicle for the inmate/trustees.
A subsequent search of Deputy Sandifer’s assigned vehicle revealed a small amount of narcotics hidden within the vehicle.
As a result, on June 8, 2018, Louisiana State Police Detectives booked Sandifer into the Washington Parish Jail on the following charges: Possession of Marijuana, Activities Regarding Contraband in a Penal Institutions and Malfeasance in Office. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are pending.