Armed robbery charges filed on Bogalusa cop

Anton Atkins, 29, a police officer on the Bogalusa Police Department, has been charged with armed robbery and dangerous use of a weapon.

Anton Atkins

Both charges are felonies and carry a jail sentence of up to 99 years. In addition, while not a separate charge, armed robbery with a gun is listed as part of the complaint as a sentencing enhancement.

Police Chief Joe Culpepper told wpnewsblog that the police department received a complaint at 8:44 p.m. Sunday about an off-duty officer firing his gun.

Culpepper said responding officers found spent casings at the scene, which were collected as evidence and have subsequently been sent, along with Atkins' service revolver, to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office for forensics testing.

"We won't know anything in regards to that until they finish with the tests," Culpepper said.

Culpepper said responding officers, along with detectives, then began conducting an investigation and conducting interviews.

"At the end of the interviews, we had enough evidence to seek the warrants," Culpepper explained.

Culpepper said Atkins had previously worked for the department, then left to work for pardons and parole before returning to the police department in April 2008.

He also said the investigation was ongoing and, that while others might have been involved, only Atkins had been charged at this time. Culpepper also said he investigated a report by wpnewsblog that Atkins' name was not on the booking log and that it was on the report.

"I am thoroughly convinced we have done the right thing (in the handling of the complaint and subsequent arrest)," Culpepper said. "I think there's more to it and that's why the investigation is ongoing."