Baton Rouge, LA – A Louisiana State Police (LSP) lieutenant was arrested late Monday night following an off-duty domestic violence incident.
Baton Rouge Police Department officers took 40-year-old James Jefferson III into custody outside a residence in Baton Rouge at approximately 11:30 p.m. on February 5, 2025. Jefferson, a longtime member of the Louisiana State Police, has been with the agency since 2007 and is currently assigned to Headquarters.
According to authorities, Jefferson was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of domestic abuse battery with child endangerment under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:35.3.I. Details regarding the circumstances of the incident have not yet been released, and it remains unclear if additional charges will be filed.
In response to the arrest, Louisiana State Police placed Jefferson on administrative leave, pending the outcome of both criminal and internal investigations. As part of standard procedure, all law enforcement-issued property assigned to Jefferson will be recovered by the department.
Officials have not disclosed whether the victim required medical attention or if any minors were present at the time of the incident. The case remains under investigation by the Baton Rouge Police Department, with LSP expected to conduct its own internal review.
Law enforcement agencies across Louisiana have reiterated their commitment to accountability among officers, emphasizing that domestic violence allegations involving law enforcement personnel are taken seriously.
Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
