Port Barre officer accused of domestic violence

St. Landry Parish sheriff’s deputies arrested a Port Barre police officer and charged him with simple battery on Saturday — Valentine’s Day — after a domestic violence incident at his home.

Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux told KLFY-TV that his department placed Stelly on unpaid leave after his arrest.

A spokesman for the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office said deputies arrested Caleb Stelly, 21, early Sunday morning after his former girlfriend called 911, saying he had thrown her out of his house.

The unidentified woman did not want medical attention, but claimed to authorities that during an argument Stelly “put his hands on her and threw her out of the way.”

Deputies said the fight involved Stelly pulling the woman’s hair and holding her by the arms.

Stelly also called the Sheriff’s Office and said he would wait until officers arrived, authorities said. He claimed that the ex-girlfriend started a physical altercation, and that he left the house to avoid conflict.

Deputies later arrested Stelly, then released him on a $5,000 bond pending trial. If a jury convicts him, he could face six months in prison and a $1,000 fine.

“Caleb Stelly will have his day in court. He was arrested without incident and my understanding is that he was very cooperative with the investigating deputies,” St. Landry Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz said.

Boudreaux said Stelly has worked for the Port Barre police for six months.