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NAKAMOTO: Disgraced former Plaquemine chief violates probation, judge extends it
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PLAQUEMINE - Disgraced former Plaquemine Police Chief Kenny Payne admitted to violating his probation by stalking employees of the Plaquemine Police Department in court Wednesday.
A judge extended his probation for another year and ordered him to cease contact with his old coworkers.
"Mr. Payne thought he was above the law," District Attorney Tony Clayton said. "This is evidence that he still has that sickness."
Payne was indicted by a grand jury back in November of 2022 after a WBRZ Investigative Unit report showed he solicited sexual favors from a woman in exchange for having charges dropped against her boyfriend. Payne vehemently denied the allegations, but days later entered a guilty plea to two counts of malfeasance in office.
He received a sentence of three years in the Department of Corrections which was suspended. He was placed on probation for a year and told to stay away from the victim and his old coworkers.
At least four of his old coworkers told prosecutors in a motion they wrote, “City Police Officers have noticed that their vehicles have been followed by Kenneth C. Payne, and both City Police Department buildings on Railroad Avenue and Bellview Road, have been frequently passed by Kenneth Payne.”
Prosecutors said the frequency of the activity is such that officers are confident this is not a coincidence.
The actions are in violation of his probation and have caused fear in some city police employees, the motion to revoke or extend his probation states.
"I am concerned about his actions," Clayton said. "It appears to me that he just doesn't get it. What we are doing here is we are helping him dig his grave. I've given him the shovel, and he's dug the first couple of holes. If he keeps it up he's going to do his three years in prison."
A judge agreed ordering Payne to seek mental health counseling and extended his probation for a full year starting in November of 2023.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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