Bryant found guilty of sex acts against juvenile

A Shreveport man who groped and fondled a juvenile female at a large family gathering in 2022 was found guilty in Caddo District Court Tuesday March 3, 2026.

The seven-man, five-woman jury in District Judge Chris Victory's court deliberated less than two hours before returning its unanimous guilty verdict against Willie Thomas Bryant, 68. He was charged with sexual battery of a person under age 13 and indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13. 

The incident occurred July 6, 2022, when Bryant fondled and groped the girl over her clothing. The child disclosed the act to older siblings and eventually to her mother, who was unaware that Bryant was a registered sex offender. The girl was interviewed at the Gingerbread House Child Advocacy Center and the case was investigated by the Shreveport Police Department.

At trial, the jury heard from the girl, her mother, a forensic interviewer from the Gingerbread House, a fingerprint expert and the case detective. Bryant testified in his own defense. The jury also learned that Bryant was previously convicted of attempted forcible rape in the 1990s.

Bryant will return to Judge Victory's court April 8, 2026, for sentencing. For sexual battery, he faces a sentence of at least 25 years and up to 99 years at hard labor, while indecent behavior with a juvenile carries a sentence of at least two and up to 25 years at hard labor. Already a lifetime registered sex offender, he will have to register for the new convictions as well: lifetime registration for the sexual battery and 15 years for the indecent behavior.

Assistant District Attorneys Courtney N. Ray and Victoria T. Washington prosecuted the case. Michael Enright and Katie Miller defended Bryant.

The case was docket No. 404584.