Agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) arrested a Cottonport Police Officer for Trespass Against State Computers and Malfeasance in Office.

LBI received a request for assistance from former Cottonport Police Chief Earnest Anderson regarding allegations of official misconduct involving a current officer. Anderson reported that his agency had learned of information indicating 31-year-old Officer Craig Smith had allegedly provided false statements to Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s dispatchers for purposes to unlawfully access and conduct an unauthorized search of state law enforcement databases to gain personal information about a former police officer without a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

During this investigation, LBI agents learned that Officer Smith had obtained personal information about a former officer and allegedly disseminated the restricted information, via mobile phone, to a private email belonging to a local Alderman in a neighboring town.

LBI agents confirmed that neither Officer Smith nor the Alderman were authorized to obtain the restricted information. In a subsequent interview with LBI agents, Officer Smith admitted that he had deceived Avoyelles Parish Sheriff’s dispatchers and unlawfully accessed and shared confidential information. LBI agents learned Smith had approached the Alderman and offered to provide the information. The Alderman was not aware that the information was restricted.  

On Tuesday, March 17, 2026, LBI agents arrested Cottonport Police Officer Craig Smith pursuant to an arrest warrant issued by the 12th Judicial District Court on felony charges of:

• 1 count of LRS 14:73.12 – Trespass Against State Computers
• 1 count of LRS 14:134 – Malfeasance in Office

Smith was booked without incident at the Avoyelles Parish Jail. 

"It's always unfortunate when we have to arrest law enforcement officers for misconduct, however no one is above the law in Louisiana," said Attorney General Murrill.

The officer remains employed, but this matter is currently under review by the Interim Chief of Police.

Our investigation is ongoing.

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.