A former Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff”s Office deputy has been arrested in connection with an investigation into payroll discrepancies after he fraudulently claimed more than $25,000 in salary and overtime pay for hours he did not work.

Brant Lee Duplechain, 38, of Jennings was arrested on a warrant issued Friday for public payroll fraud.

Duplechain is accused of submitting false and fraudulent payroll sheets which fraudulently stated his actual work hours. As a result, Duplechain was paid over $35,000 to which he was not entitled to.

Chief Deputy Chris Ivey said Monday investigators found that the former deputy claimed work hours on his time sheets, including off-duty detail and filling in on open shifts when deputies took leave for sick or vacation time.

The false claims occurred for several months in 2023 when Duplechain was not working or left the off-duty detail before it was completed, Ivey said.

Duplechain was placed on administrative leave without pay during the investigation. He recently resigned from the position, according to Ivey.

The investigation is ongoing, Ivey said.

Duplechain was recognized by the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2018 for saving the life of a local man following a farm-related accident near Lacassine. At that time, Duplechain was an assistant shift supervisor.

He previously served as a deputy with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office.