Grayson Chief Mitch Bratton
was convicted of malfeasance after a two-week jury trial in Caldwell Parish
MONROE, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office
obtained a conviction of a recently re-elected Chief of Police for Malfeasance
in Office, Theft (Felony), and Possession of Controlled Dangerous Substances.
As Chief of Police for the Village of Grayson, Mitch
Bratton was personally responsible for more than $10,000 of narcotics funds,
which went missing between 2016 and 2019, resulting in four counts of
malfeasance in office.
He was also convicted on one count of felony theft
related to monies taken from a mother and son during the course of an arrest.
That money was their COVID stimulus and had been set aside for home expenses.
As a result of this theft, that family was unable to pay their bills, lost
their home, and are still homeless to this day.
When State Police confronted Bratton, alongside the
family, he consented to a search of his unit. During that search, State Police
found Xanax (alprazolam) and Suboxone (buprenorphine) loose in his vehicle —
evidence from other drug cases which had not been properly packaged or
documented. This resulted in two counts of possession of illegal drugs.
“Late last week, Mitch Bratton was held accountable by a
six-person jury in Caldwell Parish," AG Landry stated. "The jury’s
verdict is the culmination of a great prosecution by my Assistant Attorneys
General Darwin Miller and Michelle Thompson. I thank Darwin and Michelle for
their efforts to get justice, as well as the State Police, which did an
incredible job with their investigation.
My office will continue to support crime victims and
bring offenders to justice — no matter their position of authority. It is our
hope that this conviction will provide some closure to his victims.”
Bratton is scheduled for sentencing on September 19,
2023. For each count he is facing up to five years in prison as well as a fine
of not more than $5,000.
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