The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested a Louisiana State Police Trooper for multiple domestic violence charges and obstruction of justice.

Based on a referral from the Louisiana State Police (LSP), agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation investigated allegations of domestic abuse that occurred by 41-year-old James Jefferson III, of Lake Sherwood South in Baton Rouge, who is also a State Police Trooper.

The investigation surrounds multiple incidents of domestic abuse where James Jefferson III reportedly committed against his spouse of 15 years within 2025. 

Allegations associated with the investigation allege Jefferson III committed multiple incidents of physical abuse, as well as efforts where he directly influenced and/or interfered with law enforcement investigations associated with his abuse of the victim. 

Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation were able to corroborate allegations of physical abuse committed by Jefferson III, along with other actions where he had direct influence on law enforcement investigations where he was a suspect. Agents were able to corroborate these allegations by reviewing an abundance of evidence surrounding each reported incident. 

During the course of the investigation, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation were able to ascertain records where James Jefferson III provided false information when he filed records within the 19th Judicial District Court, along with statements provided during the course of a law enforcement investigation. LBI agents also ascertained evidence where James Jefferson III willingly destroyed evidence capturing events of domestic violence he committed, as well as evidence James Jefferson III willfully provided false statements to law enforcement when significant acts of domestic violence occurred.  

At the conclusion of the investigation, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation secured an arrest warrant, signed by the 19th Judicial District Court, on James Jefferson III for charges related to:

• 1 count of LRS 14:34.7 – Aggravated Second Degree Battery
• 2 counts of LRS 14:133 – Filing False Public Records
• 3 counts LRS 14:130.1 – Obstruction of Justice
• 1 count LRS 14:35.3(I) – Domestic Abuse Battery in the Presence of Minors
• 1 count LRS 14:35.3(7) – Domestic Abuse Battery by Strangulation

On March 31, 2026, James Jefferson III was taken into custody and booked in the East Baton Rouge Correctional Facility where he awaits bond or court.

"Our mission demands that every member of the Louisiana State Police exemplifies the highest level of professionalism and integrity.  The residents and visitors of Louisiana should expect nothing less, and we will continue to hold ourselves accountable to those standards every single day”, said Colonel Robert Hodges, Louisiana State Police Superintendent.  “We appreciate the professionalism demonstrated by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office and we value our cooperative, working relationship with them.  We fully support their ongoing investigative process”, Colonel Hodges added.

No bond has been set yet.

Our investigation is ongoing.

*All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.