Lincoln Co. fire service in turmoil over sex offender

The Lincoln County Volunteer Fire Service has come under fire from some residents of the community after Bogue Chitto Volunteer Fire Department reinstated the membership of a convicted sex offender.

Brad Mercier, who was suspended from BCVFD after being arrested in 2008 for soliciting minors over the internet, was voted back into the fire department on Monday, officials said.

Bogue Chitto Fire Chief Sedgie Mercier, Brad Mercier's father, said he had no comment on the issue.

"I'm not even going to comment about that," he said. "We've talked to people about that."

Sen. Sally Doty, R-Brookhaven, said some firemen had come to her with concerns over the weekend.

"A recent staffing decision by one of our valued volunteer fire departments has caused concern for other fire personnel and community members who have reached out to me," Doty said. "Our fire departments provide critical and essential services to our communities. In order to maintain a high degree of public confidence, all agencies must follow consistent, transparent, and ethical staffing practices."

Doty said at this point she's not able to give out many other details.

"I'm unable to provide any further information other than to assure the people of our community that we are looking into this with an immediate view of determining the best way to handle the situation," she said. "I have nothing but respect for our brave and dedicated men and women who volunteer to keep us safe every day."

Various members of the community and the fire service who contacted The Clarion-Ledger were concerned because medical calls often involve first responders making physical contact with patients, as do calls for car accidents.

Lincoln County Fire Coordinator Clifford Galey said he has not received an updated roster from the department at this point, but that it's perfectly legal for Mercier to be a part of the fire department.

Some concerns from locals have centered around the fact that Bogue Chitto Attendance Center is across the street from BCFD's station one.

Sheriff Steve Rushing said he believes the school has to be notified of the situation. Sex offenders have to report on a regular basis to their local authorities and provide updated addresses and current photos. Mercier's last check in was May 27.

Department of Public Safety spokesman Warren Strain said as far as he knows, Mercier cannot be on school property, but the fire department's location is not a problem. He also said there is no law on the books that says a sex offender cannot otherwise be a public servant, but it would depend on what was in his court order when he was convicted.

"It depends on whatever the court ordered at the time of his conviction," he said.

Brad Mercier grew up in the department before his conviction. His entire family is in the department, and Brad was known to respond to calls as a first responder, as well as to drive the fire engine and fight fire.

Galey said there's no county-wide rule that says convicted sex offenders cannot join county departments.

"That's all through Bogue Chitto," he said. "I told Sedgie whatever y'all decide to do, make sure you're following all the laws."

Sedgie Mercier was adamant that there should not be a story on the issue.

"I don't want no story on that," he said. "Don't you dare put nothing in no paper. It better get stopped. Who gave you permission to do anything with this?"

Brad Mercier was convicted in March of 2014. He was convicted of two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile after settling on a plea deal with officials.

Nola.com reported in 2008 that in the initial investigation, Mercier faced at least one count of computer-aided solicitation for sexual purposes and one count of pornography involving juveniles for his suspected courting of an undercover Kenner Police Department detective who was posing as an underage girl in an online chat room. Using the screen name "brad_mercier2000," Brad Mercier asked the detective posing as a female to have sex with him, according to reports at the time.

Later, Mercier contacted the detective's underage female alter ego via telephone and masturbated during the conversation, said department spokesman Lt. Wayne McInnis at the time. Police told reporters he also asked the detective he believed to be an underage female to send naked photos of herself.

He was also believed by police to have had another similar relationship with an undercover detective in May 2007.