VILLE PLATTE – On Tuesday, April 19, Evangeline Parish Police Juror Davis Manuel pleaded guilty to the offenses of filing false financial documents and interfering with the investigation of a law enforcement agent.

Manuel was sentenced to one year in the parish jail, which was suspended, and placed on two years probation. He also was assessed a fine of $1,000.

Although the audit findings did not indicate Manuel directly benefited or received anything of value in an alleged overtime scam, he was ordered to pay $10,000 to the jury because of the estimated cost to the jury as a result of his actions.

Finally, as conditions of his probation, Manuel was required to immediately resign from his position as police juror of District One, and further prohibited him from seeking public office in the future.

District Attorney Trent Brignac indicated the conviction and resignation by Manuel will avoid the need to bring him before a grand jury in June; however, others involved in the investigation are still scheduled to be brought before that grand jury.