On May 29, 2024, Layne Barras of 34367 Waguespack Rd. Donaldsonville, LA, age 28, pled guilty to Third Degree Rape (2 counts). Barras was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Lana Chaney, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors in connection with the sexual assault of two minors. 

          In July 2021, Assumption Parish Sheriff’s detectives received information indicating that Layne Barras had committed sexual acts with two juvenile victims. Upon receiving this information, detectives initiated an investigation into the allegations. During the course of a lengthy investigation, in October 2021, detectives were notified by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office that a complaint was made by a medical professional in Ascension Parish indicating that Layne Barras admitted to sexually assaulting two juvenile females. Barras admitted to showing one of the juveniles child pornography before acting out the scene. Both juveniles underwent forensic interviews and ultimately confirmed Barras’ own admissions. Detectives submitted their investigation to the 23^rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The District Attorney’s Office presented the case before an Assumption Parish Grand Jury which resulted in a True Bill Indictment. Barras was subsequently arrested and booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center. 

          Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, pursuant to the plea agreement with prosecutors, Barras was sentenced to 25 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. The said sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Upon release from incarceration, the defendant must register and notify as a sex offender or child predator for life.