Family of victim of alleged rape by police in Estherwood files lawsuit

ESTHERWOOD, Louisiana (KLFY) – The Estherwood Police Departmenther boss, two former police officers and the police officers’ insurance provider are being sued by the family of a girl who they say was abused and repeatedly raped by police officers from the age of 12.

Officers Gregory and Emily Mire have since been dismissed from the police departmentEmily Mire, formerly a captain of the department, is currently a councilor for the Town of Estherwood. Gregory Mire was a sergeant of the department.

The lawsuit alleges that Estherwood Police Chief Wayne Welsh knew about the situation and did nothing to address it.

An unnamed insurance company that the Mires claim provided liability insurance is also a defendant in the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, filed June 13 in 15th District Court from Acadia Parish: “Emily and Greg Mire used babysitting as a cover to groom underage girls and eventually engage in inappropriate relationships with multiple children.”

The two officers allegedly took the victim on active missions several times, both separately and together with the police, and introduced her as their daughter at various church services, festivals and other events.

The lawsuit alleges that Gregory Mire first engaged in sexual acts with the then 13-year-old victim in a patrol car while on duty during the 2022 Christmas parade. Both Gregory and Emily Mire are said to have had further similar encounters.

According to the lawsuit, Emily Mire became jealous of the situation between her husband and the victim and filmed one of the alleged rapes on her body camera. She then allegedly informed Welsh of her husband’s behavior toward the victim and heard Welsh say he would not take any action on the matter.

Emily Mire also allegedly locked the victim in the Mires’ house, took away her cell phone and did not allow her to leave the house while she recorded a video with Mire’s phone and accused the victim of having an affair with her husband.

Gregory Mire was appointed on June 23, 2023 by the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office and was charged with indecent conduct with a minor, obstruction of justice, tampering with evidence, and cyberstalking. Emily Mire was also arrested and charged with false imprisonment, cyberstalking, and obstruction of justice.

The lawsuit alleges the victim’s parents were unaware of the alleged rapes until the Mires were arrested. An order of protection was issued against the victim and was repeatedly violated, sometimes with the assistance of Estherwood police officers, the lawsuit says.

Gregory Mire was arrested again in April and he is accused of violating protective orders, sexual abuse of a minor, and indecent conduct with a minor.

The lawsuit alleges that the victim is entitled to punitive and compensatory damages because she suffered emotional distress and mental anguish and was “forced to seek psychiatric treatment as a result of the defendant’s actions,” and calls for a jury trial.

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