Leangelo Ardison pleads guilty to sex crime

A Shreveport man accused of inappropriate sexual behavior with an underage girl pleaded guilty as charged after the first witness started to testify against him in Caddo District Court Tuesday, November 18, 2025.

The six-man, six-woman jury in District Judge Ramona Emanuel's court had just started to hear testimony when Leangelo Ardison, 22, changed his plea to guilty. He will return to court for sentencing January 6, 2026.

Ardison was charged with a single felony count of carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Between August and October 2024, Ardison engaged in a sexual relationship with the 15-year-old victim, initially through Instagram. The girl's mother caught Ardison with the child and turned Ardison in to the Shreveport Police Department. The girl was taken to the Gingerbread House where she admitted Ardison started a relationship with her knowing she was underage.

At sentencing, Ardison faces up to 10 years in prison with or without hard labor and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

Assistant District Attorneys Fernando Grider Jr. and Kodie K. Smith prosecuted Ardison. He was defended by Royal Alexander, Dave Knadler and Silver Sanders.

The case was Docket No. 404627.