The Mandeville Police Officer whose children were arrested last week after drugs were found in his home will likely not be arrested but has been demoted in rank.

Leonard Pfleider was not arrested. Ruple failed to elaborate on what discipline action was taken, but said Pfleider has not been fired.

However, a call into the Mandeville Police Department Thursday revealed that his rank had been changed from detective to officer. Ruple said he has no reason to believe Leonard Pfleider had any knowledge of what was going on in his home.

“He said he did not know, and from his reaction I believe him,” Ruple said, adding that the home where the drugs were found at 110 Dona Drive, Mandeville, has two stories and Pfleider lived on the first floor.

Ruple said Pflieder’s daughter and stepsons, 23-year-old Mark Nichols, 18-year-old Kevin Quinn, and 20-year-old Erika Pfleider, lived on the second floor of the residence. At some point, Ruple said Pfleider made the decision to allow the young adults to pay rent and treat the second story as their own apartment.

“He probably regrets that decision now,” Ruple said.

“I don’t disagree that he should have known what was going on in his home,” he said, “but there is a big difference between telling someone you should have know what is going on in your own home to saying they had full knowledge.”

Mandeville Police and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office were tipped off to drug activity at the residence and began the investigation six months ago.

Earlier this month Mandeville Police executed a search warrant on the home, and found less than a dozen marijuana plants growing in the home.

Nichols was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with an intent to distribute, possession of adderoll, a prescription drug, possession of a firearm in presence of controlled dangerous substances, possession of drug paraphernalia and monetary instrument abuse. Quinn was arrested and charged with cultivation of marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

Erika Pfleider was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police also seized more than $2,000 from the home.

Ruple said because he does not have the evidence to charge Pfleider with a crime, the officer was not arrested and the issue is being handled as a personnel matter.

Ruple said charges against Pfleider is still possible as the case has been turned over the district attorney’s office, who may seek charges against the officer in the future.

Pfleider has been with the Mandeville Police Department for 26 years.

”He has been a good police officer,” Ruple said. “He just made some major mistakes when it comes to how he handled things in his own home.”