The trial of a former Calcasieu Parish deputy charged with rape is expected to begin this month in the 36th Judicial District Court in Beauregard Parish.

Robert Shortridge, 44, is expected to face charges of third-degree rape beginning July 25. He faces a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison.

According to authorities, on the morning of July 15, 2018, a victim contacted Beauregard Parish authorities to report she had been raped that morning by Shortridge at a residence in Ragley.

Shortridge turned himself in on the afternoon of July 17. Later that same day, Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso reported that Shortridge had been terminated.

He had been with CPSO for 19 years, and had worked as a detective at the South Lake Charles Law Enforcement Center.

“I am not only sorry for the victim, I am embarrassed for our profession,” Mancuso stated at the time of Shortridge’s arrest.

“Our department has many dedicated men and women who take their oath seriously and the actions of one deputy gives them all a black eye. I hold all of my deputies to a higher standard and criminal activity will not be tolerated in our department.”