GONZALES – District Attorney Ricky Babin says he doesn’t know why his office wasn’t notified about a police officer’s arrest for aggravated domestic violence assault before he was released over the weekend.
“I wish we could have seen it. [the judge] “It remains to be seen whether I made a bad decision or a good decision,” he said.
On Friday, St. Gabriel Police Officer Ronald Monroe Jr. was arrested by Gonzales police after he allegedly beat and pointed a gun at his current girlfriend after she confronted him about an alleged affair that was caught on a home security camera.
According to documents obtained by WBRZ Investigative Team, Monroe was arrested Friday afternoon on a domestic violence charge and released Saturday evening. No hearing was held and bond was reportedly granted by Judge Thomas Kleibert Jr.
Kluivert did not respond to our request for comment.
Typically, in domestic violence cases, a special hearing is held before release is discussed to protect the victim, Babin said.
“It’s called a Gwen’s Law hearing. We were never notified of a Gwen’s Law hearing. Normally the court sets the hearing. Once they receive the bail package, they notify us of the bail hearing to set bail and he was released on bail over the weekend. We were never notified.”
The defendant said it’s unusual for a hearing to be held on a weekend and he believes the $16,500 bail is on the low side.
“Probably below average.”
Babin said he doesn’t know what information the judge knew when he decided to grant bail, but that criminal history would be taken into consideration.
“Prior criminal activity and arrest records are reviewed by the court and we will be advocating for this individual to be denied bail.”
Two years before Monroe’s recent arrest, another victim claims Monroe hit him in the face with a handgun after an argument.
Monroe was arrested, but as is common in domestic violence perpetrator relationships, the victim later asked that the charges be dropped.
18th District Attorney Tony Clayton was hesitant, but agreed to Monroe’s plea to simple assault and sentenced him to two years’ probation.
Clayton said he considered Monroe a dangerous and burdensome officer.
Based on the facts, Babin agrees that more should have been done.
“usually, [Gwen’s Law] The court will set a hearing before anything else happens,” he said.
Monroe is currently on unpaid leave, but St. Gabriel Police Chief Kevin Ambeau said he plans to recommend his termination at the next board meeting in August.
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