Cop arrested for rape after he ‘made woman have sex with him to get out of speeding ticket’

'It's a sad day when we have to arrest one of our own, but wrong is wrong,' the Port Barre police chief said.

A police officer is facing rape charges after he allegedly pressured a woman into having sex with him to get out of a speeding ticket.

Darwin Fontenot, a 21-year-old police officer in Port Barre, Louisiana, was arrested for third-degree rape and malfeasance after the incident which reportedly occurred in March, according to a statement by the Port Barre Police Department on Saturday. Third-degree rape is defined as sexual activity between a figure of authority and a person in their custody.

Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said he received a report on April 27 about a woman who accused Fontenot of forcing her to have sex with him after he stopped her for speeding on March 10.

The woman had other violations, according to police, and Fontenot allegedly offered the woman leniency in exchange for sex. Fontenot later admitted to having sex with the woman.

‘When I spoke to Fontenot this morning, he admitted he did engage in sexual activity with the complainant but stated that the two met up after he was off duty,’ Boudreaux told The Daily Advertiser in an email.

‘Even if he was off duty it doesn’t make it right. An officer, nor any public servant, should engage in that type of activity of exchanging sexual favors for leniency.’

‘It’s a sad day when we have to arrest one of our own, but wrong is wrong,’ Boudreaux continued.

‘Police officers are trusted with great power and responsibility to do what is right and to be the wedge between right and wrong. That trust is tarnished when officers are unprofessional.’

Fontenot was reportedly released from jail on bond on Saturday. He has been placed on ‘administrative leave until termination,’ Boudreaux said.