The Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office apprehended Ernest Lard, who was wanted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for 1 count of First Degree Rape in connection with an ongoing sexual assault investigation being conducted by NPSO Detectives in Campti.

Lard was taken into custody in Red River Parish on October 31, 2025, at approximately 5:32 PM, without incident. He will be processed and transferred to the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office for further investigation and prosecution.

Sheriff Stuart Wright expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by the Red River Parish Sheriff’s Office and the public, stating: “We want to thank Sheriff Glen Edwards and his deputies for their excellent cooperation and quick response in locating and apprehending this suspect. We also appreciate the members of the public who provided helpful information during the course of this investigation. Working together, we were able to bring this case one step closer to justice.”

If you have any information you would like to share, contact Detective Sgt. Matthew Robertson at 318-357-7830.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.