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SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Inmate files $25 M suit against state

Andre David Leffebre

A local prisoner has filed a $25 million lawsuit against the state of Texas, alleging he was not made aware of the consequences of pleading guilty.

Andre David Leffebre claims the State Bar of Texas entered him in a "commercial contract" and "failed to disclose (the) full aspects of the 'guilty' plea (he) entered in court."

Leffebre's pro se suit was filed with the Jefferson County District Court on Oct. 31.

Leffebre wrote in his suit that the defendants allegedly entered him into a contract "without his knowledge or effective consent. Thereby (an) illegal…action has taken place, wrongful and malicious (sic) in nature."

In his suit, Leffebre goes on to say that he understandably "lost his mind" when he learned he was to be sentenced to serve 15 years in the Beaumont Federal Complex.

The suit is not clear on what transpired after Leffebre "lost his mind," but somehow his cell was set a blaze and the fire consumed his "irreplaceable" pictures.

Leffebre made headlines in July, when he managed to hold corrections officers at bay at the downtown Beaumont jail using a homemade paper gun. The incident occurred when Leffebre was temporarily being housed at the facility and led to an evacuation and shut down of the entire courthouse complex.

At the time, Lefebbre, 44, was a federal inmate charged with probation violation, weapons violations and the robbery of Bank One in Beaumont in 2004.

In addition to the $25 million Leffebre is seeking from the state, he is blaming the Geo Corporation, which operates the Beaumont correctional facility, for the loss of his personal belongings and suing for the company for $10 million.

In all, Leffebre is hoping Judge Bob Wortham, 58th Judicial District, will award him $35 million in mental anguish and punitive damages.

He is also asking the court to award him an attorney since he has no job or spouse to "rely on for income."

Case No. A180-681

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