MAMOU, La. (KLFY) — An activist in Mamou has been arrested in connection with an incident involving a Mamou city councilman, authorities said.

Rufus Searile, 56, is charged with public intimidation, stalking and criminal trespass.

Mamou City Councilman Derrell Thomas made a complaint Sept. 5 claiming that Searile trespassed on his family’s property on Fusilier Road. Thomas said that as he was driving up, he noticed a vehicle leaving, pulled in front of the car to stop it, had someone park behind it and called law enforcement.

According to the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office, Thomas did not break any law by detaining Searile. EPSO cited Louisiana law CCRP 214, which that states “A private person may make an arrest when the person arrested has committed a felony, whether in or out of his presence.”

Searile went back to the property Sept. 10 for a story with a KLFY news crew, whereupon Thomas again called the EPSO. Thomas said Searile was trespassing on the property, and had been following him, taking pictures of him and his family and then posting them on social media.

According to the EPSO, Searile’s sole purpose for following Thomas and taking pictures of him was to make him feel uncomfortable, share and post pictures of his repeated bullying and taunts of Thomas, as well as extorting money from him for things Searile perceived to be the responsibility of Thomas due to his private business ventures.

Searile was arrested Monday evening, jail records show. He is currently in the custody of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office, awaiting transport to the Evangeline Parish jail. His bond is set at $10,750.

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