By: ELIZABETH WEST
Managing Editor
Ville Platte Deputy Marshal Arthur Lee Phillips was arrested by Jeff Davis Sheriff’s detectives on Monday in connection with a prostitution incident that occurred over the weekend in Fenton, La.
Phillips, 50, has been accused of picking up a 29-year-old Maria R. Joseph of Ville Platte, having sex with her and then taking her to Fenton where performed sex acts with other people for money.
Phillips was arrested and charged with promotion of prostitution. His bond has been set at $10,000.00.
The day following Phillips’ arrest, the Ville Platte City Marshal’s office released a statement in regard to this incident.
The statement read, “Ville Platte City Marshal Ronald Doucet, has announced that Deputy Marshal Arthur Phillips has been suspended form his duties pending the outcome of all investigative proceedings regarding allegations against Phillips, in Jeff Davis Parish, unrelated to his duties as a Deputy City Marshal.
The female involved was arrested Saturday night after receiving $120.00 for having sex with an individual in Fenton.
According to KLFY, during an investigation, “Joseph admitted to officers that she texted a Ville Platte city marshal who lives in Fenton and threatened to file the false report of rape to persuade him to give her a ride back home.”
Joseph was arrested and booked on charges of prostitution, possession of a CDS I marijuana, and possession of drug paraphernalia.