Damico & Stockstill, Attorneys at Law

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Accused rapist jailed after bond violation

On Behalf of | Aug 6, 2013 | Firm News, Sex Offenses |

The storied “long arm of the law” was illustrated recently when an Orleans Parish man accused of rape who had managed a hefty cash bond was thrown back in the slammer after violating the conditions of his pre-trial release.

Luck finally ran out for the 42-year-old as he awaited trial on charges he raped a 14-year-old girl in February 2005 and a 17-year-old girl later that same year. Since being apprehended, the accused has been in and out of jail since 2011 on a series of highly restrictive bonds. In April, he was returned to jail after violating the terms of his $1.5 million bail by frolicking with college girls at a party at his parents’ home, the venue of his first house arrest. His bond was increased to $2.5 million that was paid in cash only last month.

Authorities enforcing the second bond dictated that he was no longer allowed to bunk with mom and dad. His new site of house arrest, with 24-hour ankle bracelet monitoring, was a boathouse on Lake Pontchartrain – also owned by his parents. They could visit him, but there could be no other guests without express permission from the criminal court judge presiding over his case.

However, the accused could not stay out of mischief. On a day in late July, deputies sprung a surprise visit on the accused, discovering a woman on his balcony. Further investigation revealed that he had used Craigslist, Skype and texting to lure her over to the boathouse – ostensibly to have her show him a dog he said he wanted to take in. He did not ever use his correct name and before the deputies confronted his female visitor, he allegedly pleaded with her to lie about the circumstances of her visit.

Prosecutors would use the false name to their advantage in the hearing to revoke his latest bond. They argued that the use of a fake name was part of his modus operandi in luring young girls. They listed a dozen aliases.

While his trial on the rape charges is now slated for late September, his checkered history shows that a criminal defendant needs the guidance and protection of a defense attorney not just for the trial but for all the issues that may precede the final adjudication of guilt or innocence.

Source: 
The Advocate, “Bond revoked for rape suspect Kelly” Claire Galofaro, Aug. 01, 2013

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