GOLDEN MEADOW, LA – In a dramatic turn of events following a closely contested local election, Troy Dufrene, the former Chief of Police for the Town of Golden Meadow, has been arrested by agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI), part of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office. The charges stem from allegations of official misconduct and the destruction of critical public records just days before Dufrene vacated office.
According to a statement released by the Attorney General’s Office, the LBI launched an investigation after receiving a formal request for assistance from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office. The sheriff’s department had reported suspicious activity involving Dufrene and the shared case management system used by both agencies.
Alleged Misconduct Following Election Loss
The investigation revealed that Dufrene, who recently lost his re-election bid, allegedly accessed the law enforcement records system after the election and deliberately deleted more than 12 years’ worth of official records. The tampered data included:
- Traffic citations
- Fuel expenditure logs
- Arrest reports
- Payroll records
- Various other departmental files
These actions were said to have occurred just prior to Dufrene leaving office, raising serious concerns about motive, integrity, and long-term implications for the Golden Meadow Police Department.
Authorities believe that the deletions were intentional and malicious, carried out in an apparent act of retaliation or sabotage before his departure. The records lost represent critical documentation needed for law enforcement operations, departmental accountability, and legal proceedings. Officials have stated that the disruption caused by the deletions has been severe, with the police department still struggling to recover and reconstruct lost data.
Technical Recovery Underway
Due to the complexity and scale of the data loss, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office has had to enlist the help of an outside technology vendor in an effort to retrieve or restore the deleted information. However, the process is slow, costly, and not guaranteed to be fully successful.
The damage has reportedly had a long-lasting effect on the police department’s ability to perform basic functions, process citations, manage payroll, and access case records necessary for ongoing investigations and court proceedings.
Arrest and Charges
Based on the findings of the LBI, a warrant was issued through the 17th Judicial District Court. On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Dufrene voluntarily surrendered at the Lafourche Parish Jail, where he was booked on the following felony charges:
- 1 Count of LRS 14:132 – Injuring Public Records
- 1 Count of LRS 14:134 – Malfeasance in Office
- 1 Count of LRS 14:73.7 – Computer Tampering
Dufrene, a resident of Griffin Lane in Golden Meadow, had his bond set at $15,000.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Accountability
The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation emphasized that the investigation is still ongoing, and additional charges or findings may be forthcoming. State officials are working closely with local law enforcement and legal teams to determine the full extent of the impact caused by the deleted records.
Attorney General Liz Murrill released a statement highlighting the seriousness of the charges, saying:
“The public must be able to trust that those in positions of power will act with integrity and uphold the law—not manipulate or destroy public records for personal reasons. Our office will continue to pursue justice in this case and hold officials accountable when they abuse their power.”
The arrest of a sitting or former law enforcement leader on such charges is rare and has shaken public confidence in the leadership of the small Lafourche Parish town. Citizens and officials alike are demanding transparency and swift justice to ensure the community can begin to rebuild trust.
This case remains under active investigation. Anyone with additional information related to the incident is encouraged to contact the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation.
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