Former municipal employee arrested for abuse of office | News

Hammons was an employee of Tangipahoa Parish and was in charge of maintenance at the parish jail from 2010 until the sheriff's office changed administration in July of this year.

When the prison's new administration took over, it was revealed that Hammons had taken a prison trustee to his apartment in 2021 to buy weapons from him, the TPSO reported.

When Hammons learned of this, he was arrested for questioning. He admitted the charges and voluntarily handed over the weapons in question.

Hammons' employment with the municipality was terminated.

“Sheriff Sticker and I promised to work as a team, and as such, we are united in our efforts to ensure the success of the Tangipahoa Parish Jail. Our TPG family knows that we expect excellence in everything we do every day, and integrity is an absolute must, not an option. I am deeply disappointed in the actions of this former employee; however, there is no place for such behavior in Tangipahoa Parish government,” said Parish President Robby Miller.

“Security has been our biggest challenge at the jail and therefore our top priority,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker. “As part of this effort to improve security, we have not only made staffing changes, but have also enhanced training and certifications, as well as implemented changes to general access for community employees. Our citizens should be encouraged that our leadership team identified this crime and that our partnership with community management resulted in swift action to remedy this specific situation. Together, we will continue to work to improve security at the jail.”