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INVESTIGATIVE UNIT: Was Angola Assistant Warden given a bond favor?

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ST. FRANCISVILLE- Serious questions are being raised tonight over whether officials gave an accused rapist a favor. In West Feliciana Parish, a high ranking employee at Angola accused of rape managed to get two different bond reductions before getting out of jail.

Barrett Boeker was charged with raping a woman at his house on prison grounds just before Christmas. Tonight, there are even more questions about how and who helped him get out of jail.

"A lot of people are afraid to speak up because of situations like this in their community," Kirsten Raby, Regional Director for STAR said.

Tonight, she said the numerous bond reductions Boeker received aren't good for victims.

"It does not happen everyday," Raby said.

The paper trail paints an interesting picture of how Boeker managed to walk free. Bonding information the WBRZ Investigative Unit obtained show his bond was initially set at $200,000 by Judge William Carmichael. But, then Carmichael reduced his bond to $173,000. A second bond reduction ultimately lowered his bond to $123,000 before Boeker managed to get out of jail.

The rape victim told WBRZ on the phone today she's outraged Boeker managed to get two different bond reductions. Judge William Carmichael, who did the bond reductions, said he couldn't remember why he did that.

"I have not seen anything like that before," Raby said. "It's disheartening."

Bonding information shows property totaling $40,000 was put up to get Boeker out of jail in West Feliciana Parish. The remainder came from someone else in Ascension Parish. Those familiar with the bond process tell the WBRZ Investigative Unit those at the highest levels had to be on board to make this happen for Boeker.

"Being that it's a small rural community, a lot of people know each other and it's unfortunate this survivor finds herself in a place where she's been victimized and feels victimized all over again," Raby said.

The victim tells WBRZ her entire family is disgusted by what they called a favor for Boeker. They said this is "the good ole' boy network" in action. Boeker is currently on administrative leave as this investigation plays out.

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