ELIZABETH, La. — A candidate seeking to become police chief of a small Louisiana community has been arrested on two counts of second-degree rape after investigators say two women came forward with allegations stemming from when they were 13 years old nearly two decades ago.
Christopher “Chris” Paul, 48, a candidate for police chief in the Village of Elizabeth in Allen Parish, surrendered to authorities Tuesday, Sept. 8, after detectives obtained a warrant for his arrest, according to Allen Parish Sheriff Doug Hebert.
Paul was booked into the Allen Parish Jail on two counts of second-degree rape. https://www.kplctv.com
The allegations involve two separate girls who authorities say were each 13 years old when the alleged sexual assaults occurred in 2005 and 2006. The cases resurfaced after the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office received a complaint in early August 2026, according to Hebert. https://www.kplctv.com
Complaint led detectives to decades-old allegations
Authorities have released relatively few details about what allegedly occurred in 2005 and 2006.
According to the sheriff, detectives began investigating after receiving the complaint in August. Investigators subsequently interviewed the alleged victims as well as witnesses before obtaining an arrest warrant for Paul. https://www.ksla.com
Publicly available reports do not specify the alleged victims’ relationship to Paul, where the alleged assaults occurred, whether the two girls knew one another, or why the allegations were reported to authorities nearly two decades later.
NewsLeash is not identifying the alleged victims.
Investigators also have not publicly detailed what evidence was developed during their interviews or what information was presented to the judge who authorized Paul’s arrest warrant.
Paul surrendered to authorities
Rather than being taken into custody during a traffic stop or at his home, Paul turned himself in to authorities on Sept. 8 after the warrant was issued.
He was subsequently booked on two counts of second-degree rape. https://www.kplctv.com
Initial reporting from KPLC stated that bond had not yet been established when the arrest was first announced.
Later reporting, however, provided an update. A correctional officer at the Allen Parish Jail told KFDM that a judge set Paul’s bail at $60,000 on the two rape charges and that Paul was released after posting bond. KFDM
His release on bond does not resolve the criminal charges or constitute a determination regarding the allegations.
Arrest comes while Paul is running for police chief
The timing of the arrest adds another significant dimension to the case.
Paul was one of two candidates seeking the office of police chief in Elizabeth when he was arrested. The Village of Elizabeth is an Allen Parish community located a little more than 30 miles east of DeRidder. AOL.com
The arrest therefore involves not only a criminal prosecution but a candidate seeking to lead a local law-enforcement agency.
Available reporting reviewed by NewsLeash does not establish that Paul has withdrawn from the race or that his arrest automatically removes him from the ballot. Unless election officials announce a change in his candidacy, the criminal charges and his status as a candidate should be treated as separate matters.
Why a case from 2005 and 2006 can still be prosecuted
The nearly two-decade gap between the alleged crimes and Paul’s arrest may raise an obvious question: How can authorities prosecute allegations this old?
Louisiana law specifically provides that there is no time limitation on initiating a prosecution for second-degree rape. The state’s Code of Criminal Procedure includes second-degree rape among offenses for which prosecution is not barred by the passage of time. Louisiana Legislature
That means the fact that the alleged conduct dates to 2005 and 2006 does not, by itself, prevent Louisiana prosecutors from bringing the case today.
There is another historical wrinkle in the terminology.
Louisiana’s current statute notes that what was previously referred to as “forcible rape” is now called “second degree rape.” The Legislature changed the terminology for offenses occurring on or after Aug. 1, 2015, while specifying that references to forcible rape and second-degree rape concern the offense defined by the statute. Louisiana Legislature
Exactly how prosecutors will charge and characterize alleged conduct from 2005 and 2006 will ultimately be reflected in the formal court filings.
Significant questions remain unanswered
The arrest represents the beginning of the criminal court process rather than its conclusion, and significant details about the case remain undisclosed.
Authorities have not publicly released a probable-cause affidavit detailing the allegations. The available reports also do not explain whether investigators obtained physical or documentary evidence, whether other witnesses have been identified, or what prompted the complaint to be made in August 2026.
No publicly reported statement from Paul’s attorney or from Paul responding substantively to the allegations was located in the sources reviewed by NewsLeash.
The next stages of the case could provide considerably more information as prosecutors file formal charging documents and the case moves through arraignment, discovery, pretrial motions and potentially trial.
Age discrepancy in early reports
NewsLeash also identified a discrepancy among news organizations reporting Paul’s age.
KPLC, citing Allen Parish authorities and publishing an Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office photograph identifying Paul, reported that he is 48 years old. Several outlets carrying the KPLC report also list him as 48. https://www.kplctv.com
The KLFY report syndicated through Yahoo and AOL, however, identified Christopher “Chris” Paul as 46. AOL.com
NewsLeash is using 48, based on the locally sourced reporting tied directly to the Allen Parish Sheriff’s Office, unless subsequent official court or booking records establish otherwise.
Case remains pending
Paul currently faces two counts of second-degree rape stemming from allegations involving two girls who authorities say were 13 at the time of the alleged offenses.
The allegations have not been proven in court.
An arrest warrant and criminal charges establish that authorities have accused Paul of crimes; they do not establish guilt. Paul is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
NewsLeash will continue monitoring the case for formal court filings, an arraignment date, Paul’s status in the Elizabeth police chief election and any response from Paul or his attorney.
Sources: Allen Parish Sheriff Doug Hebert via KPLC; WAFB/KSLA; KLFY; KFDM/Sinclair; Louisiana State Legislature.
