Ascension DA to handle St. John rape case

The state attorney general’s office recused itself from a case involving rape charges against a St. John the Baptist Parish sheriff’s office deputy, and turned the case over to Ascension Parish District Attorney Anthony “Tony” Falterman.

Allan Wayne Schaeffer, 47, was fired Oct. 19, 2007 after being investigated in a domestic dispute complaint. The 16-year police veteran is charged with aggravated rape, second-degree-battery and attempted sexual battery.

A state attorney general’s office written statement said “good rapport was no longer present” between the prosecutor and the victim in the case,” hence the recusal of the case to the 23rd Judicial District Office.

Schaeffer was indicted by a grand jury in January, after a State Police investigation findings were turned over to the state attorney general’s office.

A court hearing set for last Thursday was continued to Dec. 3 according to a letter from Falterman’s office.