Former St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rodney Madere Jr. was arrested Thursday afternoon on charges related to fraud and theft.
The Sheriff’s Office announced Madere was arrested on an outstanding warrant and was booked at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona. Madere was released upon the posting of a $100,000.00 bond.
Madere has been charged with abuse of office, theft over $25,000, obstruction of justice and public payroll fraud (26 counts). Madere resigned from the sheriff’s office in February while under investigation.
The arrest warrant was obtained after a lengthy criminal investigation, according to the Sheriff’s Office, and that the allegations involve the misappropriation/misuse of Sheriff’s Office resources, equipment, and manpower. No other prior or ongoing criminal matters are affected, according to Sheriff’s Office public information officer Sgt. Jenni Barrette, and two additional arrests are expected related to the situation.
UPDATE: Former Captain Derek Pertuis and former Sergeant Zain Stillinger have been arrested and booked at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona on outstanding warrants. Each was released upon posting a $100,000.00 bond.
Pertuis was charged with abuse of office, theft over $25,000 and public payroll fraud (26 counts). Pertuis was terminated from the sheriff’s office in March 2024.
Stillinger has been charged with abuse of office, theft over $25,000 and public payroll fraud (26 counts). Stillinger resigned from the sheriff’s office in February 2024 while under investigation.