JENNINGS — A court arraignment date has been reset for later next month for a former Jennings police chief accused of taking items from the department’s evidence room.

Johnny Lassiter, 52, who has been charged with theft over $1,500, malfeasance in office, obstruction of justice and injuring public records, was scheduled to be arraigned Friday in the 31st Judicial District Court.

His arraignment has been reset for 10 a.m. March 28, District Attorney Michael Cassidy said.

Lassiter was released in late January from the Calcasieu Parish Correction Center to a Veterans Administration treatment center on an order signed by Judge Ronald Cox. Cox was appointed to the case by the Supreme Court after Judge Steve Gunnell recused himself.

Lassiter resigned as a police officer on Jan. 8, just three days before he was arrested by state police after an audit of the Jennings Police Department’s evidence room found discrepancies.

He had served as police chief from 2006 until he resigned in August 2010, citing family obligations. He had worked for the Police Department since 1996 and previously worked for the Lafayette Sheriff’s Office and served in the Louisiana National Guard.

He is being represented by attorney Robert Sheffield Jr. of Lake Charles.

Johnny Lassiter