A Bossier City man accused of committing lewd acts with a 10-year-old girl was convicted in Caddo District Court Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
JaRoderick Harper, 32, faces at least 25 years in prison at hard labor, and up to 99 years, following his conviction for molestation of a juvenile when the victim is under age 13. At least 25 years of the sentence must be served without benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.
The two-man, ten-woman jury in District Judge Chris Victory’s court deliberated about three hours before returning its verdict.
The jury heard evidence that on January 16, 2022, the minor child reported sexual abuse by Harper to her mother, an acquaintance of Harper’s. The girl reported Harper showed her a pornographic movie, then pulled the girl into a bedroom and forced contact of a sexual nature on her.
Harper denied the allegations on the stand.
Judge Victory remanded Harper pending sentencing, set for October 11, 2023.
Harper was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Victoria Washington and Sam Crichton. He was defended by Michael Enright and Dave Knadler.
The case was docket No. 388840.
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