A child rape suspect looks set to become a small Louisiana town’s new police chief after his only rival dropped out of the race.
Chris Paul, 46, was already running to lead the Elizabeth police department when he was arrested early last month and charged with the second-degree rape of two 13-year-old girls, KPLC reported.
His only opponent in the election later pulled out — leaving the accused child rapist unopposed on the ballot for next month’s election in the village of 400 people.
Because the qualifying period has closed, Paul cannot be replaced on the ballot. And because only those convicted of a felony offense are barred from holding public office in Louisiana, the charges do not rule him out of running, despite it being for the village’s top law enforcement position.
Paul was arrested in early September for the alleged rapes 20 years ago.
At the time, he was set to face off against Zach Lacaze in November’s election, before Lacaze pulled out of the race on Sept. 23 to avoid having to give up his full-time federal job at Fort Polk, a US Army installation in Louisiana.
“As much as I love being a police officer and as much as I wanted to be your Chief of Police, I have a responsibility to my family,” Lacaze wrote on Facebook.
“My full-time job is what provides for my wife and son, and I cannot take that away from them. So, as much as it hurts me, I have to step away from this election.
“Being a police officer is something I truly love. I wanted the Chief of Police position because I believed I could make a difference in the community where I grew up, where my family lives, and that I proudly call home.”
Lacaze’s withdrawal means Paul will run unopposed.
Paul looks set to take office on Jan. 1. The Youth Peace and Justice Foundation, started after the 2022 Robb Elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, has urged him to quit the race while his rape case is still pending.
Local lawmakers also said they will decide if future police chiefs can be appointed by alderman, rather than through election.
