Police Officer Involved Domestic Violence.
Lighting a candle of remembrance for those who've lost their lives to domestic violence behind the blue wall, for strength and wisdom to those still there, and a non-ending prayer for those who thought they had escaped but can't stop being afraid.
"...When I told Sheriff Wayne Jones that one of his deputies was abusing me, he refused to take action, he refused to help me. In fact, he politely escorted me out the door. I brought an overwelming amount of evidence to Sheriff Jones. I showed him medical reports and played voice mail messages where I was being threatened. I went a second time to see Sheriff Jones.
Again, he said he was not going to take any action against his lieutenant. I asked if I could see Internal Affairs and he said no, everything had to go through him. I left sobbing and terrified because when you go to the highest ranking officer who is governing all these other officers, and he discounts you completely, you feel hopeless... I felt hopeless. I was raped and beaten and he put a 9 mm Glock to my head threatening to kill me.
I decided once and for all that I had to take action, and I reported my terror to the State Police. My abuser, Sheriff Jones' lieutenant, was indicted for aggravated rape and arrested... I lived to tell my story. But I still can't believe Sheriff Jones refused to protect me. Now, I'm taking action to protect you from Sheriff Jones."
"I was head of Internal Affairs at that time, and I was NEVER made aware this investigation was active or ongoing - until I saw it in the media"...
ST. JOHN SHERIFF RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION AGAINST ONE OF HIS TOP DEPUTIES
wwltv.com, Eyewitness News
Paul Murphy
October 19, 2011
[Excerpts] This Saturday, one of the big elections in the River Parishes is the race for Sheriff in St. John Parish. It pits a longtime incumbent against one of his former top deputies. Wayne Jones has been sheriff for the past 16 years... His opponent Mike Tregre is a 23-year veteran and former spokesman for the department. "I know the ins and outs of St. John Sheriff's Office... One thorny topic during the campaign is a video put out by Tregre, featuring a woman who claims one of the sheriff's former top lieutenants beat his girlfriend and Jones failed to take action. "I was head of internal affairs at the time and I was never was made aware that this investigation was active or ongoing until I saw it in the media," said Tregre. Sheriff Jones says his department investigated the matter which is seven years old. "This officer pleaded guilty to a felony, served time in jail, and the person who is in the commercial, Mrs. Mutz agreed to the plea," said Jones. "The sheriff provided court records to back up the claim. Sheriff Jones says he still considers Tregre a friend. "He's a nice person, doesn't have the administrative experience I have as far running a department of 300 people and a $26 million budget," said Jones. "Crime is up in St. John Parish," said Tregre. "The morale is down at the St. John Sheriff's office."... [Full article here]
[police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence ipv abuse law enforcement public safety lethal louisiana teflon corruption sex sexual assault st. john the baptist parish louisiana state politics "Tracey's Story"]
Reprinted with permission from Tracey's blog, Stop OIDV:
Being a victim of domestic violence is a horrible, life changing experience. When the abuser is a cop, the situation may be even more terrifying. They use their badges to threaten, manipulate and control others.
So many times, I was told, "no one will ever believe you"; "I could kill you and no one will ever know what happened to you"; "Nothing will ever happen to me, they will believe me over you"; "If you ever tell, I will hurt your children"; "If you report me, I will see to it that you lose your job and I will tell them you hit me first and I was defending myself".
What happened to me changed my life forever. What is happening to others experiencing similar horrors will change their lives forever. You can't go back and erase the past. However, you can move forward and realize that there can be life after abuse.
My abuser is now a twice convicted felon. It took a long time and yes, he got off easy. But, he will never work in law enforcement again. He will never be able to legally carry a weapon. His past will follow him all the remaining days of his life...he can't escape it- just as I can't erase what he did to me. It is with me for life.
If you are being abused by someone who wears a badge, get help immediately. Go outside of your local jurisdiction for help. Go to a law enforcement agency higher than the one that employs your abuser. Document everything and do not keep the documents in a place your abuser can find them. Your life is important. People will listen. You just have to insist they listen. If you are a victim, reply to this post and I will listen...and put you in touch with others who will also listen.
There CAN be life after abuse. When you come out of the dark, the sun will be so much brighter than any sunshine you've seen in your life. I lived for years afraid to leave my house. Now I open my front door look at the sky, thank God and smile.........LIFE IS GOOD! [police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety louisiana state serial criminal teflon repeat hx ]
(Schaeffer is here because the battery case victim was his girlfriend at the time.)
Second Degree Battery, Case # 09-301
On or about May 8, 2006 in the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Allan Wayne Schaeffer intentionally inflicted serious bodily injury upon Tracey DeAnn Mutz when he physically beat and strangle Tracey DeAnn Mutz, without her consent, causing her to seek emergency medical treatment due to multiple bruises to her hands, feet, face and neck and due to her extreme physical pain.
Malfeasance in Office, Case # 09-302
On or about February 28, 2007, in the Parish of St. John the Baptist, Allan Wayne Schaeffer, who was employed as a sheriff's deputy with the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff's Department contacted Lisa St. Martin on the premise of assisting her with her current criminal charges. Upon meeting with Ms. St. Martin, Schaeffer drove to the St. John Sheriff's Office Jail and parked behind a big green bus where he attempted to obtain and coerce sex from Ms. St. Martin for assisting her with her pending criminal theft charges, by virtue of his position and authority at the St. John Parish Sheriff's Office. When Ms. St. Martin refused, she thereafter felt threatened by the defendant's repeated harassment and threats to take her to jail for failure to give into his sexual demands.
Q: Do you agree with these facts as stated by the District Attorney?
A: Yes (initialed AWS)
The Court is convinced that the defendant has been fully advised of his constitutional rights, that he understands the nature of the charge against him, that he understands the penalty to be imposed, that his plea is freely and voluntarily entered and that there is a factual basis for the plea and that the defendant is in fact guilty of the crime charged.
I now ask you to acknowledge that you have read The above and certify that the answers are true and correct by signing your name hereto in this 22 day of May, 2009.
Signature received: Allan Wayne Schaeffer
I now ask that your counsel to acknowledge that he was present during my questioning of you in open court prior to your plea being accepted and to acknowledge to me that he also informed you of your rights prior to this time as well as to the consequence to you on your plea of guilty, that he has gone over this form with you in detail and that he is satisfied with your plea of guilty is a voluntary act on your part. [police officer involved domestic violence oidv intimate partner violence (IPV) abuse law enforcement public safety louisiana state serial criminal teflon repeat hx ]
Wayne Schaeffer Former St. John the Baptist Sheriff's Lieutenant
... "We took an offer that was too good to pass up versus life in prison, " Schaeffer's attorney, Paul C. Fleming, said Friday evening. "The verdict gives Mr. Schaeffer a chance at a future. He's been stagnant"...
Tracey Mutz Ex-girlfriend
..."It absolutely worries me that Judge Becnel did not order him on home incarceration," said Tracy Mutz, a former girlfriend who claimed Schaeffer raped and repeatedly hit her during their two year relationship beginning in 2004. "He threatened to kill me. He held his loaded service weapon to my head." Mutz feels Shaeffer's sentence was too lenient considering he was facing life behind bars... FORMER ST. JOHN PARISH LIEUTENANT PLEADS GUILTY Women Accused Wayne Schaeffer Of Multiple Attacks POSTED: 11:19 am CDT May 22, 2009 UPDATED: 11:48 am CDT May 22, 2009 [Excerpts] A former lieutenant in the St. John the Baptist Sheriff's Office pleaded guilty Friday to two felony counts and received a sentence of 10 years of probation. Wayne Schaeffer was indicted in January 2008 on charges of aggravated rape, battery and attempted sexual battery. The felony counts were filed after several women came forward during an I-Team investigation into Schaeffer's conduct. He pleaded guilty to two counts: malfeasance in office and second-degree battery. If convicted on all of the original charges, Schaeffer could have received a sentence that would have kept him in prison for the rest of his life. By pleading guilty to the limited charges and adhering to the judge's conditions, he avoids prison time. Schaeffer's accusers included a former girlfriend who told I-Team senior investigative reporter Richard Angelico she suffered abuse that at one point sent her to the emergency room. "Mostly, I became a punching bag... in my face, my legs," Tracey Mutz said in late 2007. Mutz said she was also raped at gunpoint and suffered a broken hip. Two other women described instances of abuse at the hands of Schaeffer. "The straw that broke the camel's back was when he crushed a wine glass in my hand," one of them told Angelico. Another said she was groped by Schaeffer at a local bar. "I slapped his hand and told him to get the hell off of me and he went berserk," said the woman, identified as "Jessica" in the WDSU report. "He started calling me a slut and a whore and I didn't even know him." Schaeffer was fired shortly after the first I-Team reports aired. State Police conducted an investigation into the allegations. They said Schaeffer failed a polygraph test administered as part of the probe. [LINK]
Video:
FORMER ST. JOHN PARISH DEPUTY CHARGED WITH RAPE PLEADS GUILTY TO REDUCED CHARGES The Times-Picayune by Joy Hirdes Friday May 22, 2009, 3:45 PM ...Judge Mary Hotard Becnel ordered Schaeffer to complete anger management and sensitivity counseling, as well as domestic violence counseling and to submit to random drug and alcohol screenings at his own expense and to pay fines and court costs totalling $4,718.50. Judge Becnel also released Schaeffer of his electronic monitoring and ordered him to have no contact with his victims and their families for the duration of his probation. "It absolutely worries me that Judge Becnel did not order him on home incarceration," said Tracy Mutz, a former girlfriend who claimed Schaeffer raped and repeatedly hit her during their two year relationship beginning in 2004. "He threatened to kill me. He held his loaded service weapon to my head." Mutz feels Shaeffer's sentence was too lenient considering he was facing life behind bars. Seated one row behind Schaeffer on Friday, Mutz said she jumped at the chance to give a victim's statement in the courtroom. "I let him know that he had done some terrible things to people," said Mutz, who met Schaeffer when he coached her son in little league baseball. "And that even though our bruises have healed there are still lots of terrible scars left behind... He did not look at me... He kept his head down the throughout the hearing." "I have been waiting for this day for a very long time," Mutz said. The judge set a proof of compliance hearing for August 5, 2009. [Full article here]
PLEA LETS EX-ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST COP AVOID PRISON The Times-Picayune by Joy Hirdes Friday May 22, 2009, 8:48 PM ...Allan Wayne Schaeffer, 48, of LaPlace, pleaded guilty to second-degree battery and malfeasance in office on Friday and received five years of probation on each count. Schaeffer, a former lieutenant with the Sheriff's Office, had been charged with aggravated rape, second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery. He was fired from the sheriff's office in October 2008 after a State Police investigation, which stemmed from a domestic dispute complaint filed by a former girlfriend [Tracey Mutz]. Schaeffer faced a possible life sentence on the aggravated rape charge and a maximum of five years on both the second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery charges. "We took an offer that was too good to pass up versus life in prison, " Schaeffer's attorney, Paul C. Fleming, said Friday evening. "The verdict gives Mr. Schaeffer a chance at a future. He's been stagnant." The prosecution was handled by the Ascension Parish district attorney's office after the state recused itself, citing a deteriorating rapport with the victims. According to the indictment against him, Schaeffer was charged with one count of aggravated rape in a November 2005 incident and one count of second-degree battery in a May 2006 incident, both involving a former girlfriend. The attempted sexual battery charge, according to the indictment, stemmed from an incident involving another woman who said Schaeffer tried to force her to perform a sex act after parking his patrol car behind the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace... [Full article here]
Previous entries:
[LA] Lt. Schaeffer accused of dv, rape, sex assault by 3 women - ...Schaeffer was just fired in October after Tracey Mutz, his ex-girlfriend, filed domestic violence charges on him. He's charged with aggravated rape and 2nd degree battery on her. Two other women are accusing him as well...
[LA] Fired Deputy Schaeffer's victims have reason to fear - ...Mutz said Monday that the ruling did little to ease her fears since the monitoring device has to be ordered. "I'm 100 percent terrified and devastated," she said. "To know that man is walking free to do whatever he deems necessary, it doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem like our justice system would allow this."
...Mutz said Monday that the ruling did little to ease her fears since the monitoring device has to be ordered. "I'm 100 percent terrified and devastated," she said. "To know that man is walking free to do whatever he deems necessary, it doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem like our justice system would allow this."
Previous entry: [LA] Lt. Schaeffer accused of dv, rape, sex assault by 3 women ...Schaeffer was just fired in October after Tracey Mutz, his ex-girlfriend, filed domestic violence charges on him. He's charged with aggravated rape and 2nd degree battery on her. Two other women are accusing him as well... Ex-cop out on bail in rape case But he must wear monitoring device The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA By Victoria St. Martin Tuesday, February 26, 2008 [Excerpts] Former St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff's Deputy Allan Wayne Schaeffer, who was indicted in January on charges of rape and battery, remains free on bail, but will be required to wear a monitoring device, a judge ruled Monday morning. While ruling in favor of state prosecutors who sought the electronic monitoring, state District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel postponed hearing the rest of the state's appeal on whether Schaeffer's $335,000 surety bond is valid... The hearing was postponed until March 5 after Schaeffer's attorney requested a continuance because of a conflict. The attorney, Tomy Acosta with the public defender's office, said he has some pending cases where Schaeffer was the investigator. Because Schaeffer is also a witness in those cases, the public defender's office filed a motion saying a new attorney will be assigned to the case... Sheriff's officials said Monday that they must order the monitor because the department does not have one. In addition, Becnel ordered Schaeffer to make a formal application to the public defender's office to explain why he's not able to afford an attorney... Schaeffer, a 16-year veteran, was jailed Jan. 14 after a state grand jury indicted him on charges of aggravated rape, second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery. Schaeffer has pleaded innocent to the charges... The appeal, filed Wednesday by Assistant Attorney General Ali Zito Shields, argues that Schaeffer did not show proof that the person who signed the surety bond is worth $335,000 or that she has property in the state as required by law. It says that he should be ordered back to jail if he fails to provide the documents. If he's allowed to remain out on bail, Shields requested that Schaeffer be made to wear a monitoring device, saying that he's a flight risk. Becnel granted the request for the electronic monitoring device, after Shields referenced a criminal code that requires any person indicted on an aggravated rape charge to have one as a condition of bail... "We are for the protection of any witness or victim in this case," Shields said. "I feel like today was a step in this process"... Schaeffer was fired from the St. John Sheriff's Office in October after a State Police investigation, which stemmed from a domestic dispute complaint filed by Tracey Mutz, a former girlfriend... Schaeffer is charged with one count of aggravated rape in a November 2005 incident, one count of second-degree battery in a May 2006 incident, and one count of attempted sexual battery in a February 2007 incident. As a condition of his bail, the court has issued a stay-away order for the complainants. Mutz said Monday that the ruling did little to ease her fears since the monitoring device has to be ordered. "I'm 100 percent terrified and devastated," she said. "To know that man is walking free to do whatever he deems necessary, it doesn't seem logical. It doesn't seem like our justice system would allow this"...
LAST WEEK:
Former deputy's bond release disputed Prosecutor claims paperwork lacking The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA By Victoria St. Martin February 21, 2008 [Excerpts] ...The motion said Schaeffer, 47, posted 10 percent of his $335,000 bond and that a woman named Karyn N. Schaeffer signed an affidavit attesting to the fact that she was worth the amount of the bond. The documents don't show any other act of mortgage or security interest as required by law, according to the motion... The motion also says that during the State Police investigation, a woman told the attorney general's office that Schaeffer had introduced himself to her with a false name and claimed to be an Orleans Parish sheriff's officer. Prior to the indictment, Schaeffer told the woman he may go to jail for failing to give someone their Miranda warnings, according to the motion. Shields said the story is evidence that he should be monitored while out on bail...
The high-ranking 16-year law enforcement veteran St. John Parish Sheriff's Lt. Allan Wayne Schaeffer was just fired in October after Tracey Mutz, his ex-girlfriend, filed domestic violence charges on him. He's charged with aggravated rape and 2nd degree battery on her. Two other women are accusing him as well. Ex-St. John deputy pleads innocent Accusers say he used badge to coerce sex By Victoria St. Martin River Parishes bureau January 25, 2008 ...a former St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff's lieutenant shuffled into a courtroom Thursday and pleaded innocent to charges of aggravated rape, second-degree battery and attempted sexual battery. Allan Wayne Schaeffer entered the plea shortly before noon with his court-appointed attorney by his side. Schaeffer faces life in prison on the aggravated rape charge... Schaeffer, 47, a 16-year law enforcement veteran, has been held in St. Bernard Parish in lieu of a $335,000 bond since he was indicted by a state grand jury Jan. 14. Snowdy denied a request for bond reduction after state prosecutors said Schaeffer used his badge to intimidate his alleged victims... In denying the bond reduction, [State District Judge J. Sterling] Snowdy said the indictment alleges Schaeffer exercised his power with "great disregard"... Schaeffer was fired from the St. John Sheriff's Office in October after a State Police investigation, which stemmed from a domestic dispute complaint filed by a former girlfriend, Tracey Mutz. The findings of the investigation were turned over to the state attorney general's office by St. John District Attorney John Crum. Crum recused his office from the case, noting his office's close ties to the Sheriff's Office... Schaeffer is charged with one count of aggravated rape in connection with a November 2005 incident and one count of second-degree battery in connection with a May 2006 incident, both involving Mutz. An attempted sexual battery charge, according to the indictment, stems from a February incident involving another woman, Lisa St. Martin, who said Schaeffer tried to force her to perform a sex act... It is The Times-Picayune's policy not to identify the victims of sexual assaults, but the women who brought charges against Schaeffer waived that confidentiality and have appeared publicly in televised and other news reports to explain their allegations. Mutz said Thursday that she would like to one day push for a measure to help victims in filing reports of abuse against law enforcement officials within the state. "We've made one step forward today," Mutz said after hearing about Schaeffer's plea. "It's a sad day but a good day in itself. I hope after all of this is done, law enforcement agents will think harder before they choose to abuse someone"... ...“This is a very emotional day for obvious reasons and I cannot help but to think if appropriate action were taken in 1999 when formal complaints were filed against Mr. Schaeffer maybe none of us would be here today,” alleged victim Tracey Mutz said... Source: Former Deputy Charged With Sex Crimes, WDSU, January 14, 2008
Grand jury considers rape case against ex-deputy The Times Picayune By Victoria St. Martin Tuesday, January 15, 2008 ... One of the women, who told State Police investigators that Schaeffer tried to sexually assault her while they were parked behind the parish jail... "I hope he is arrested," said Lisa St. Martin, 30, of LaPlace, "and justice is served"... Another woman, Tracey Mutz, a former girlfriend of Schaeffer's who claims [Sheriff Wayne] Jones did not take her accusations of domestic violence seriously, said Schaeffer was indicted late Monday evening. Mutz said an attorney from the state's attorney general office held a meeting with her and the other women and told them that Schaeffer was being taken into custody... Authorities have said Schaeffer failed polygraph tests in connection with both complaints. A week before being fired, Schaeffer was placed on suspension with pay. But after Jones met with the district attorney's office, at the close of the State Police investigation, Schaeffer was fired.... "It's very emotional," Mutz said of the news of the indictment. "I can't even explain the way I feel; I'm sad but I'm relieved - he won't be able to hurt anyone else. It's hopefully the beginning of the end."
"...When I told Sheriff Wayne Jones that one of his deputies was abusing me, he refused to take action, he refused to help me. In fact, he politely escorted me out the door. I brought an overwelming amount of evidence to Sheriff Jones. I showed him medical reports and played voice mail messages where I was being threatened. I went a second time to see Sheriff Jones.
