A Louisiana woman accused of swimming nude in a neighbor’s pond and then attacking a responding deputy has been arrested after turning herself in this week, authorities said. The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Erin Elizabeth Sutton, 41, of Marion, and said she faces multiple charges tied to a November encounter in the rural Linville community.
Deputies said the case began as a trespassing call and escalated when Sutton refused orders to leave the water, telling an officer she was “trying to be a mermaid.” The incident, which unfolded on a cold evening in November, led to a struggle, a failed use of a Taser and an emergency trip to a hospital. Investigators sought warrants after the medical visit and arrested Sutton when she surrendered on Jan. 6, 2026. She is accused of resisting an officer with force or violence, battery of a police officer, public intimidation, disturbing the peace and criminal trespass. Her bond was set at $62,000, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies were dispatched to the property after nightfall following a complaint that a woman was on private land and yelling near a pond, according to the sheriff’s account. When the first deputy arrived, Sutton was in the water without clothing and declined to come out, speaking briefly before going silent. After repeated commands, she exited the pond because of the cold and was escorted toward a nearby house to warm up while emergency medical services were called. As the deputy attempted to guide her inside, Sutton allegedly charged at him from a short distance, knocking into the officer and triggering a struggle across the porch and yard. The deputy issued commands to stop and tried to restrain her hands. When that failed, he deployed a Taser that did not disable her, according to the report. The confrontation continued until additional units arrived and Sutton was placed in restraints.
Authorities said no shots were fired. The deputy involved reported being kicked and punched during the struggle and was evaluated afterward. Sutton was taken by ambulance to a hospital for hypothermia concerns and additional medical checks. During the ride, she allegedly threatened to kill deputies and paramedics, statements the sheriff’s office later cited in public intimidation counts. Because of her medical treatment, deputies did not book her immediately that night. After consulting with prosecutors, investigators obtained arrest warrants the following week. Sutton surrendered at the Union Parish jail on Jan. 6 and was booked on three counts of resisting an officer with force or violence, two counts of battery of a police officer, two counts of public intimidation, disturbing the peace by intoxication, and criminal trespass. Officials listed her residence as Marion, a small town east of Farmerville.
Union Parish sits in north Louisiana near the Arkansas line, where farm ponds and timber lots break up long stretches of county roads. Linville, an unincorporated community, is a cluster of homes and churches outside Marion, and neighbors there said the cold snap that week brought frost to lawns and thin ice to shallow water. Deputies said the weather shaped their response on the night of the call, forcing them to stage a warming area while they waited for medical personnel. Rural geography also slowed their work; flashing lights were visible along a narrow lane as additional units threaded past ditches and fences to reach the scene. By the next morning, the sheriff’s office had collected statements from the property owner and several neighbors who reported hearing shouting before sirens arrived.
Records show the sheriff’s office often routes complex arrest decisions through the local district attorney when a suspect requires medical care before booking. In this case, that meant documenting injuries, downloading body-camera footage and confirming witness timelines before drafting warrants. Prosecutors reviewed the file and approved charges tied to alleged violence against an officer and threats made during transport. The office also noted standard steps still underway, including lab work on Taser probes, a check of radio logs and a pull of 911 audio for time stamps. Sutton’s first court appearance is expected after the parish court sets a date; officials said scheduling would depend on docket space and discovery exchanges between prosecutors and defense counsel.
Neighbors described the scene as unusual even for a quiet parish where deputies are used to late-night calls tied to trespass or loud noise. A resident who lives a few doors down said patrol trucks idled with doors open as deputies walked the shore of the pond under handheld lights. Another neighbor recalled hearing an officer announce, “Sheriff’s office,” several times before the situation shifted toward the house. A relative of the property owner placed blankets by the doorway for the woman as paramedics arrived, the neighbor said. People in Marion who heard about the case later in the week said they were relieved no weapons were used and hoped the deputy’s injuries were minor. Local clergy said they planned to check in with the family that reported the trespass.
As of Saturday, Sutton remained free on bond while the case moves through early steps. Officials said a fuller picture of the confrontation may come once body-camera footage is logged with the court and medical reports are added to the file. The sheriff’s office said any future hearing dates will be posted on the parish docket and noted that additional counts could be considered if new evidence emerges.
Author note: Last updated January 11, 2026.