Sunset Police Chief Arrested After Federal Jury Indictment

The police chief in Sunset, Louisiana was arrested on Tuesday by federal officials after he was indicted by a federal grand jury.

Hours after being arrested, Luis Padilla appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to a civil rights violation in connection with an alleged incident that took place last December.

A public defender entered a not-guilty plea on Padilla's behalf. Padilla was released from custody shortly after his court appearance.

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A press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District of Louisiana read in part:

The indictment alleges that on or about December 1, 2023, Padilla, acting in his official capacity as Chief of Police, used unreasonable force against an individual during an investigation and detention. The indictment further alleges that without legal justification, the individual was restrained in handcuffs, and Padilla forcefully twisted the individual’s thumb and wrist in a manner intended to cause pain, which resulted in bodily injury to the individual.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jamilla A. Bynog.

If convicted, Padilla faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

Padilla has not released a statement to the media as of this writing.

We will update as more information becomes available.

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