Rapides Parish Sheriff Mark Wood joined local, state and federal law enforcement officials during a press conference on Aug. 5 announcing the federal indictment of Clarence A. Frazier Jr. in the murder of Deputy U.S. Marshal Drew Hanson.
During the press conference, Wood said law enforcement officers face danger every day but continue to stand “in the gap between good and evil.” He also thanked the FBI New Orleans Field Office, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Alexandria Police Department and the Louisiana State Police for their assistance and support during the investigation.
According to the FBI, Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp joined the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana and other local, state and federal partners in announcing that a federal grand jury had indicted Frazier in the death of Hanson.
Frazier was initially charged following the July 13 incident. If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of life in prison or death.
According to court documents, members of the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service were attempting to arrest Frazier after he failed to appear for trial on a state charge of sexual battery with a person with infirmities.
Investigators said officers located Frazier at his residence on July 13 and obtained a search warrant before approaching the home. Officers, who were clearly identified as law enforcement, announced their presence and forced entry into the residence.
Authorities said officers found Frazier in a bedroom, where he barricaded himself and opened fire, striking Hanson, who later died from his injuries. Frazier then remained barricaded before being taken into custody following a standoff.
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office.
A criminal indictment contains allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.