Indicted Sheriff Tells Federal Judge He Needs To Carry A Gun

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — An indicted south Louisiana sheriff says the recent killings of police in Baton Rouge show that he needs to carry a gun.

Prosecutors have asked a federal district judge to forbid Iberia Parish Sheriff Louis Ackal from possessing any weapons while he awaits trial on charges accusing him of telling guards to assault jail inmates.

Ackal already is prohibited from possessing a gun under the terms of his pre-trial release.

Judge Donald Walter has yet to rule on the motion, which also requests approval of unannounced inspections of Ackal's home, vehicle and office. It's based on recordings that prosecutors say caught Ackal making anti-Semitic threats against federal prosecutors.

Court papers filed Monday say Ackal needs a gun because police are under attack.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.