PATTERSON, LA – Dinah Dru Richard, 31, of Patterson, Louisiana, was arrested on December 13, 2024, for charges including forgery, theft (over $5,000), and malfeasance in office. The arrest followed an investigation into a theft complaint at the St. Mary Parish School Board Office in Centerville.
On December 11, 2024, detectives from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office (SMPSO) were dispatched to investigate allegations of misuse of a store charge card and a credit card by a school board employee. Upon further inquiry, detectives discovered evidence of forgery, with the suspect allegedly signing off on the unauthorized purchases. Richard was developed as the suspect and arrested after questioning.
At the time of her arrest, the total amount of the theft was found to exceed $15,000. Richard was booked at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. No bail has been set, and the investigation is ongoing.