NEW ORLEANS — A veteran agent from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in New Orleans has been indicted on charges he engaged in a scheme to steal money and property seized in drug investigations and perjured himself in court.

The federal indictment unsealed Monday also accuses the agent, Chad Allen Scott, of accepting an illegal “gratuity” worth at least $10,000 for recommending that prosecutors seek a reduced sentence for a criminal defendant.

The Advocate reports Scott, a DEA agent for 17 years, was arrested late Sunday and pleaded not guilty to the charges during his initial court appearance Monday. He was jailed without bond and is due back in court Tuesday for a detention hearing.

Rodney Gemar, a Hammond police officer who had been assigned to the DEA task force that Scott led for years, also is charged with conspiracy in the 13-count indictment. Gemar was jailed Sunday in Plaquemines Parish after turning himself in to authorities.

Matthew Coman, Scott's attorney, said his client would be “fully vindicated of any wrongdoing.”