Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre and Thibodaux Chief of Police Bryan Zeringue announced the arrest of a Thibodaux Police officer on Monday. Robert Marulli, 31, was charged with Sexual Battery following an investigation.
The Thibodaux Police Department received information about an alleged incident that took place at Marulli’s apartment in early April 2020 involving him and a young adult female. Marulli was not on duty at the time of the incident. Chief Zeringue turned over the investigation to the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division due to the nature of the case.
Through investigation, detectives learned the woman went to Marulli’s apartment the night of the incident, and Marulli reportedly inappropriately touched the woman without her consent. Following an investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Marulli’s arrest.
On Monday, April 27, detectives met with Marulli at the Thibodaux Police Department Internal Affairs office in Thibodaux. He was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux on the charge of Sexual Battery. Bail is set at $50,000.
Chief Zeringue stated, “On Wednesday, April 22, 2020, our administration office was notified of allegations of wrongdoing by one of our Patrol Officers, Robert Marulli. Thibodaux Police Detectives confirmed that the alleged sexual allegations did involve a Thibodaux Police Officer; and that it had occurred inside the City Limits of Thibodaux. I immediately contacted the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office to head the investigation. Marulli was immediately relieved of his duty and was placed on Administrative Leave while the investigation was being conducted. We received updates from the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office and were informed once the warrant was obtained. As of today, April 27, 2020, Marulli was terminated and is no longer an active member of the Thibodaux Police Department.”
“We hope that this serves as a shining example that faith in law enforcement is not misplaced,” Chief Zeringue said. “Not because mistakes and violations never happen, but because those in law enforcement will hold each other accountable. No one is above the law, and we will continue to work with the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office by assisting them with anything and everything they need.”
