By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — A nine-year veteran of the St. John Sheriff’s Office was arrested Thursday following an internal investigation into alleged malfeasance in office, said Sheriff Wayne L. Jones.

Det. Thomas Young Jr., 38, of Slidell, a member of the Sheriff’s High Tech Crime Unit, was taken into custody just after 9:30 p.m. Thursday, Jones said. Young was booked into the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace on charges of malfeasance in office and theft of $500 or more. As of Friday, he remains in custody in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

Jones said the investigation into Young’s activities, which, he said, began about a month ago, is still in the early stages. He said more charges could be forthcoming.

“I’m disappointed to say the least,” Jones said. “But I have a responsibility to maintain the integrity of this office. We did what had to be done.”

Jones said Young, who was also a member of a Secret Service unit out of New Orleans, has been suspended indefinitely from the force without pay pending further investigation. No additional information has been released.