A bizarre case out of Louisiana has exposed how a man allegedly tricked jail staff by posing as a judge to reduce an inmate’s bond — allowing the inmate to walk free before authorities realized they’d been conned.
Man Accused of Posing as Judge
Authorities say 42-year-old Adrian James St. Romain is facing multiple charges, including false impersonation, assisting escape, attempted escape, and injuring public records. He was arrested Tuesday on an unrelated warrant and then formally charged for “impersonating local judges,” according to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.
How the Scam Played Out
The alleged scheme began in April, when someone called the Calcasieu Correctional Center claiming to be a judge. That caller successfully convinced staff to verbally reduce 46-year-old inmate Demond Lynn Delahoussaye Sr.’s bond to “Released on Recognizance.”
Delahoussaye, who had been locked up on an aggravated assault charge, was released in June under the fake bond order.
Deception Uncovered in Court
On July 17, Delahoussaye appeared in court, where officials discovered that his earlier release had been based on fraudulent instructions. He was immediately taken back into custody at the correctional center.
Investigators say St. Romain wasn’t done yet. In July, he allegedly made two more calls pretending to be a judge in hopes of reducing Delahoussaye’s bond again — but those attempts failed. Detectives soon identified him as their suspect.
Arrest and Ongoing Investigation
With help from the U.S. Marshals Service, St. Romain was taken into custody. As of Wednesday, his bond had not yet been set, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Sheriff Responds to Error
Sheriff Stitch Guillory admitted that jail staff made “an honest error” due to lack of training but emphasized that new policies are now in place to prevent such incidents. He praised detectives and correctional officers for eventually piecing the case together without tipping off the suspect too soon.
The case of Adrian James St. Romain highlights how a bold impersonation fooled jail officials and briefly freed a violent offender. With lessons learned and procedures tightened, Louisiana authorities are working to ensure that courtroom authority can never again be faked over the phone.
