The Louisiana State Police announced multiple arrests Thursday afternoon, following the initial results of an ongoing investigation into a recent beating and rape at the Washington Parish Jail, according to Trooper Dustin Dwight of LSP’s Troop L.

Dwight said that on Sept. 8, the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office contacted LSP Region I Detectives in reference to a criminal complaint that occurred at the Washington Parish Jail. As a result of the ongoing investigation, troopers have now secured arrest warrants for 16 inmates and five former Washington Parish Sheriff’s Deputies on multiple charges.

Dwight said that through investigative means, troopers discovered evidence that between July 26 and Sept. 5, five WPSO correctional deputies and several inmates were involved in the beating of an inmate and separate rape of another inmate. Based on the evidence obtained, troopers secured arrest warrants for the suspects involved.

On Thursday, the following individuals were booked without incident into the Washington Parish Jail on the related felony charges:

• 22-year-old former deputy Frank Smith of Ponchatoula — malfeasance in office, aggravated second-degree battery, second-degree battery.
• 21-year-old former deputy Elliot Smith of Mandeville — malfeasance in office, aggravated second-degree battery.
• 19-year-old former deputy Austin Rogers of Franklinton — malfeasance in office, principal to aggravated second-degree battery.
• 48-year-old former deputy Pam Willis of Tylertown, Miss. — malfeasance in office.
• 29-year-old former deputy John Donaldson of Franklinton — malfeasance in office.
• 19-year-old Samuel White of Bogalusa (inmate) — first-degree rape, simple battery.
• 38-year-old Toby Walker of Bogalusa (inmate) — first-degree rape, simple battery.

Dwight said that nine additional inmates were arrested and have been booked into the Washington Parish Jail for simple battery. They are Yamarai Brumfield, 24, of Bogalusa; Charles Ross, 41, of Bogalusa; Latrevious Lucas, 19, of Bogalusa; Javontay Owens, 25, of Bogalusa; Andre Lucas, 27, of Bogalusa; Russell Daniels, 25, of Franklinton; Dakiethan Matthews, 23, of Bogalusa; Tremale Jenkins, 27, of Franklinton; and Tyreef Williams, 19, of Bogalusa.

Troopers have also secured arrest warrants for simple battery on five remaining inmates, Dwight said. They are Eddie Jackson, 18, of Bogalusa; Quenterrious McGowan, 26, of Angie; Kevin Crutchfield, 19, of Bogalusa; Deonta Lee, 32, of Franklinton; and Jackie Spikes, 17, of Angie.

“In early September I learned of an incident in the jail that I believed merited immediate investigation,” Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal said. “To ensure a thorough and balanced independent investigation, I contacted both Louisiana State Police and the FBI. With our full cooperation, each agency investigated the incident, resulting in numerous state arrest warrants. I am grateful for the thorough investigative work performed by our fellow law enforcement agencies.”

Anyone with additional information pertaining to this incident should contact Louisiana State Police Region I Detectives at 985-542-4182.