Vinton, La., Chief of Police Arrested for Extortion, Insurance Fraud

The Louisiana State Police reported that the chief of police in Vinton, La.—Billy Ray Vice—was arrested on Apr. 15, 2005, by the state police criminal intelligence unit. He is being charged with Extortion, Insurance Fraud, and Malfeasance in Office.

The bond on the warrant has been set at $75,000.00. The investigation reportedly revealed Vice was attempting to extort another candidate from campaigning in the election for the position of chief of police in Vinton on Apr. 2, 2005. Vice attempted to use unsubstantiated information aimed at discrediting the candidate prior to the qualification date. The state police said evidence obtained in the investigation indicates Vice is responsible for the filing of a false criminal report in February against the candidate for the purpose of defamation of character prior to the election.

Allegedly, evidence was also obtained that indicates Vice is responsible for falsifying a criminal report pertaining to a vehicle pursuit which involved a Vinton patrol unit in March 2005. The report was used to file a fraudulent insurance claim on behalf of the town of Vinton.

Billy Ray Vice was appointed as the acting chief of police in October 2004 after the former elected chief, Betty Dupre, resigned from the position.