Former police officer sentenced

CROWLEY – A former Rayne police officer was sentenced to six years at hard labor with three being suspended for lewd behavior with a 13-year-old girl in 2015.
Troy Menard had faced a maximum of seven years at hard labor, but Judge John Trahan said that he took into account his remorse — albeit “somewhat late” — as well as Menard having no prior convictions.
Trahan did, however, chastise Menard for his “sexual advances toward a 17-year-old prior to his sexual contact with the 13-year-old,” as well as trying “to enlist the help of the 13-year-old to make your advances toward the older child.
“Most troubling, you also tried to place the blame on the 13-year-old, which I find reprehensible,” said Trahan. “You only took responsibility once it was revealed that allegations were being made to the sheriff’s office.”
The day began with Menard’s father (Carrol Menard), his brother (Shannon Menard) and his best friend (Norbert Doucet) each testifying that Menard was “a good guy who took care of his family.” Both his mother and father have been recovering from multiple strokes and heart attacks. His mother, Elaine, is currently residing in a local senior care unit.
In 2013, Menard himself was in need of a heart transplant and a fundraiser was held to help pay for the medical procedure. He never received any of the money raised during the fundraiser.
However, Trahan seemed unmoved due to the seriousness of the charges.
Menard pleaded guilty to the crime of lewd behavior with a juvenile on April 4. He had originally faced three charges, including sexual battery of a juvenile, which Trahan pointed out would have carried a “much stiffer sentence.”
David Rubin, Menard’s attorney, had asked for leniency based on his lack of a prior record, his taking responsibility of his actions (to which Trahan responded “not at first”) and his ongoing health issues.
As the verdict was read, Menard wiped away tears from his eyes.
Rubin was denied when he asked Trahan for credit for time served he was wearing an ankle bracelet prior to the trial.