A Shreveport man whose trial on sex charges was delayed a day this week as he sat in a DeSoto Parish jail on unrelated charges was found guilty late Tuesday, January 28, 2025, in Caddo District Court.
A three-man, three-woman jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court found LaQuinton Eckles, 38, guilty as charged of Molestation of a Juvenile and Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.
The unanimous jury returned its verdict at 7:45 p.m., after deliberating for 70 minutes. The trial was scheduled to began Monday at 1 p.m. but was delayed because Eckles had been arrested over the weekend on unrelated charges in DeSoto Parish and had to be transported to court from Mansfield.
Over the course of the trial, the Caddo District Attorney’s office called seven witnesses to prove that on Mother’s Day in 2022, Eckles molested the minor victim. One week prior to the crime, Eckles spent several hours with the now-15 year-old child. On the night of the crime, the victim’s mother consented for Eckles to visit with the child for two hours; however, he failed to return the child as promised and kept her out past midnight. The following day the girl reported the attack to her counselor, who notified the police.
The victim was interviewed at the Gingerbread House and that recorded interview was played for the jury. At trial, Eckles denied ever being alone with the child. The jury rejected that assertion, returning its guilty verdicts. Following conviction, defense counsel moved for an appeal bond to allow Eckles to remain free pending sentencing. Judge Hathaway denied that request, citing defendant’s arrest in DeSoto for unrelated criminal activity while on bond for the molestation charge.
Sentencing is set for February 18, 2025. Eckles faces from five to 20 years in prison for molestation of a juvenile when the offender has custody or control over the victim, and up to seven years in prison for the indecent behavior with a juvenile conviction.
Assistant District Attorneys Ashlyn Thomas and Jason Waltman prosecuted the case, docket No. 390096. Katherine Ferguson and Evan McMichael defended Eckles.
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