Officer Busted For Battery Of An Inmate

A St. Mary Parish corrections officer is spending some time behind bars for allegedly hitting an inmate in the face.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Traci Landry reported  Ricky Martin was arrested for simple battery Friday after an investigation uncovered Martin struck the inmate in the face while escorting him to a dorm at the parish's law enforcement center in Centerville.

Landry said the 51-year-old corrections officer from Jeanerette was immediately terminated upon his arrest, No bail was set.

"These actions will not be tolerated here at the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office," Sheriff Mark Hebert said. "We, as law enforcement officers, are entrusted with public safety. Those who break that trust will be held accountable.”