Topline: Authorities say the suspect posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to secure a fraudulent bond for an inmate charged with aggravated burglary.
Published: September 12, 2025 10:00 am ET
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Adrian J. St. Romain (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA — A Louisiana man is behind bars after authorities say he impersonated local judges in an elaborate scheme to fraudulently secure the release of an inmate.
According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Adrian James St. Romain, 42, posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to the Calcasieu Correctional Center between April and July of this year.
During one of those calls on April 16, he allegedly succeeded in having an inmate’s bond verbally reduced to “released on recognizance,” or ROR—a designation typically reserved for low-risk defendants. The inmate, Demond Lynn Delahoussaye Sr., who was being held on an aggravated burglary charge, was subsequently released in June.
The scheme began to unravel when Delahoussaye appeared in court on July 17. Officials quickly realized his earlier release had been granted under false pretenses, and he was taken back into custody and rebooked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, CPSO spokesperson Kayla Vincent told KPLC.
St. Romain reportedly made two more calls later that month, again impersonating a judge in a failed attempt to manipulate bond conditions for Delahoussaye. Detectives with the CPSO Specialized Investigations Division began looking into the suspicious activity in July, eventually identifying St. Romain as the person behind the calls.
On September 9, deputies with the CPSO Warrants Division, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Service, arrested St. Romain on an unrelated warrant. During questioning, investigators connected him to the jailhouse scheme. He was booked on charges including attempted simple escape, assisting escape, injuring public records, and false impersonation. As of now, no bond has been set.
Vincent noted that while it’s not unusual for judges to authorize bond reductions by phone, there are strict protocols in place to verify those calls—procedures that, in this case, were not properly followed.
Sheriff Stitch Guillory acknowledged the lapse in protocol and said steps have already been taken to prevent a repeat of the incident. “This was an honest error that occurred due to lack of training, and we have addressed it,” Guillory said. “We did not release any information in July once it was discovered due to the fact our detectives and corrections personnel were in the middle of an active investigation. Revealing details too soon could have tipped off the suspect.”
Guillory praised the work of the detectives, corrections staff, and the CPSO Real Time Crime Center for what he described as diligent investigative work. “I remain committed to being transparent with our community and those we serve, even when situations like this occur,” he added.
The investigation remains active.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Man Arrested for Impersonating Judges to Free Jail Inmate
Authorities say the suspect posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to secure a fraudulent bond for an inmate charged with aggravated burglary.
By Jacob Charles
Published: September 12, 2025 10:00 am ET
Adrian J. St. Romain (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA — A Louisiana man is behind bars after authorities say he impersonated local judges in an elaborate scheme to fraudulently secure the release of an inmate.
According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Adrian James St. Romain, 42, posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to the Calcasieu Correctional Center between April and July of this year.
During one of those calls on April 16, he allegedly succeeded in having an inmate’s bond verbally reduced to “released on recognizance,” or ROR—a designation typically reserved for low-risk defendants. The inmate, Demond Lynn Delahoussaye Sr., who was being held on an aggravated burglary charge, was subsequently released in June.
The scheme began to unravel when Delahoussaye appeared in court on July 17. Officials quickly realized his earlier release had been granted under false pretenses, and he was taken back into custody and rebooked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, CPSO spokesperson Kayla Vincent told KPLC.
St. Romain reportedly made two more calls later that month, again impersonating a judge in a failed attempt to manipulate bond conditions for Delahoussaye. Detectives with the CPSO Specialized Investigations Division began looking into the suspicious activity in July, eventually identifying St. Romain as the person behind the calls.
On September 9, deputies with the CPSO Warrants Division, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Service, arrested St. Romain on an unrelated warrant. During questioning, investigators connected him to the jailhouse scheme. He was booked on charges including attempted simple escape, assisting escape, injuring public records, and false impersonation. As of now, no bond has been set.
Vincent noted that while it’s not unusual for judges to authorize bond reductions by phone, there are strict protocols in place to verify those calls—procedures that, in this case, were not properly followed.
Sheriff Stitch Guillory acknowledged the lapse in protocol and said steps have already been taken to prevent a repeat of the incident. “This was an honest error that occurred due to lack of training, and we have addressed it,” Guillory said. “We did not release any information in July once it was discovered due to the fact our detectives and corrections personnel were in the middle of an active investigation. Revealing details too soon could have tipped off the suspect.”
Guillory praised the work of the detectives, corrections staff, and the CPSO Real Time Crime Center for what he described as diligent investigative work. “I remain committed to being transparent with our community and those we serve, even when situations like this occur,” he added.
The investigation remains active.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Man Arrested for Impersonating Judges to Free Jail Inmate
Authorities say the suspect posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to secure a fraudulent bond for an inmate charged with aggravated burglary.
By Jacob Charles
Published: September 12, 2025 10:00 am ET
Adrian J. St. Romain (via Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office)
LAKE CHARLES, LA — A Louisiana man is behind bars after authorities say he impersonated local judges in an elaborate scheme to fraudulently secure the release of an inmate.
According to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, Adrian James St. Romain, 42, posed as a judge in multiple phone calls to the Calcasieu Correctional Center between April and July of this year.
During one of those calls on April 16, he allegedly succeeded in having an inmate’s bond verbally reduced to “released on recognizance,” or ROR—a designation typically reserved for low-risk defendants. The inmate, Demond Lynn Delahoussaye Sr., who was being held on an aggravated burglary charge, was subsequently released in June.
The scheme began to unravel when Delahoussaye appeared in court on July 17. Officials quickly realized his earlier release had been granted under false pretenses, and he was taken back into custody and rebooked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center, CPSO spokesperson Kayla Vincent told KPLC.
St. Romain reportedly made two more calls later that month, again impersonating a judge in a failed attempt to manipulate bond conditions for Delahoussaye. Detectives with the CPSO Specialized Investigations Division began looking into the suspicious activity in July, eventually identifying St. Romain as the person behind the calls.
On September 9, deputies with the CPSO Warrants Division, with assistance from the U.S. Marshal’s Service, arrested St. Romain on an unrelated warrant. During questioning, investigators connected him to the jailhouse scheme. He was booked on charges including attempted simple escape, assisting escape, injuring public records, and false impersonation. As of now, no bond has been set.
Vincent noted that while it’s not unusual for judges to authorize bond reductions by phone, there are strict protocols in place to verify those calls—procedures that, in this case, were not properly followed.
Sheriff Stitch Guillory acknowledged the lapse in protocol and said steps have already been taken to prevent a repeat of the incident. “This was an honest error that occurred due to lack of training, and we have addressed it,” Guillory said. “We did not release any information in July once it was discovered due to the fact our detectives and corrections personnel were in the middle of an active investigation. Revealing details too soon could have tipped off the suspect.”
Guillory praised the work of the detectives, corrections staff, and the CPSO Real Time Crime Center for what he described as diligent investigative work. “I remain committed to being transparent with our community and those we serve, even when situations like this occur,” he added.
The investigation remains active.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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