RUFUS SEARILE ARRESTED!
On September 5th, 2025, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received a complaint on Fuselier Road of a person trespassing on their property.
When Deputies arrived on the scene, they observed 3 vehicles parked in the road, with 2 blocking one from leaving. Deputies learned 2 of the persons involved were Rufus Searile and Mamou City Councilman Darrel "Sheaky" Thomas. Thomas stated that he was informed by a witness that someone was on his family's property on Fuselier Road. He said that as he was driving up, he noticed the vehicle leaving. He said he pulled in front of the car to stop it and had someone park behind it. He said he then held the car there and called Law Enforcement.
Thomas said he realized it was Rufus Searile who would have no business on his father's property. He believed Searile may have been trying to mess with his horses. La. Code of Criminal Procedure (CCRP 214) states that "A private person may make an arrest when the person arrested has committed a felony, whether in or out of his presence". Thomas believed Searile was trespassing on his property and committing unknown crimes, according to La. CCRP, Thomas did not break any law by detaining Searile while waiting for law enforcement.
On September 10th, the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received another call on Fuselier Road for suspicious activity. When deputies arrived, they discovered Rufus Searile was back at the property with news media, filming the family property, which belonged to Thomas' father.
At that time, Thomas requested to file charges against Searile for "Stalking". Mr. Thomas stated that Searile had been following him, taking pictures of him and his family, and then posting them on social media. Since Thomas is an elected official, it is not against the law to take pictures of him while moving around his community and performing his duties. However, La. Law (L.R.S. 14:40.2) states, "Stalking is the intentional and repeated following or harassing of another person that would cause a reasonable person to feel alarmed or to suffer emotional distress. Stalking shall include but not be limited to the intentional and repeated uninvited presence of the perpetrator at another person's home, workplace, school, or any place which would cause a reasonable person to be alarmed, or to suffer emotional distress as a result of verbal, written, or behaviorally implied threats of death, bodily injury, sexual assault, kidnapping, or any other statutory criminal act to himself or any member of his family or any person with whom he is acquainted". Public officials are citizens as well; therefore, they are allowed certain protections and privacy while not performing their official duties.
Searile's sole purpose for following Thomas and taking pictures of him was to make him feel uncomfortable, share and post pictures of his repeated bullying and taunts of Thomas, as well as extorting money from him for things Searile perceived to be the responsibility of Mr. Thomas due to his private business ventures in his own community.
Rufus Searile has been arrested on charges of:
1 Count of "Public Intimidation" in Violation of L.R.S. 14:122
1 Count of "Stalking" in Violation of L.R.S. 14:40.2
1 Count of "Criminal Trespass" in Violation of L.R.S. 14:63
Searile is currently in the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, awaiting transport to the Evangeline Parish Jail. He currently has a bond set at $10,750.00.
RUFUS SEARILE
07/11/1969
VILLE PLATTE, LA
As always, Sheriff Charles R. Guillory and the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office is seeking information on criminal activity and urge the public to contact their Investigation Department via phone at 337-363-2161 or through the agency's website at www.evangelineparishsheriff.org. Any person reporting information will remain anonymous. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.
