SPEARSVILLE, La. - Spearsville Police Chief Steve E. Bodine has been indicted by a Union Parish grand jury accused of aggravated rape of a child under the age of 13.
Bodine, 64, was booked late Monday afternoon into the Union Parish Detention Center. Third Judicial District Court Judge Cynthia Woodard set bond at $500,000. UPSO Chief Deputy Dusty Gates said the indictment and arrest of Bodine came after a year-long investigation by sheriff's investigators, State Police detectives and the District Attorney's office.
"This investigation took a while because this all occurred before he became chief two years ago," Gates said. "They were also witnesses located out of state that we had to find and interview."
Gates said the investigation started after a family member filed a complaint with the sheriff's office. "Because it involved a Union Parish law enforcement officer we contacted State Police," he said.
Bodine had not been in law enforcement before qualifying for the position. No one qualified to run against him, Gates said. The victim was between