On January 8, 2018, Jose Hernandez of 11129 Martin Rd. Gonzales, LA., age 39, pled guilty to the charges of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (3 counts). Hernandez was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Joni Buquoi, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Jason Verdigets. This guilty plea was the result of a plea agreement with prosecutors following a 2014 investigation initiated by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.

           On September 9, 2014, deputies with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a Gonzales residence in reference to a narcotics related complaint. Upon arrival, deputies observed two juvenile females to be under the influence of some type of narcotic. The juveniles were transported to a local hospital where they were evaluated by medical staff and released. Detectives learned that the two juveniles along with another juvenile female had engaged in sexual intercourse with a male subject identified as Jose Hernandez in exchange for illegal narcotics over time. Upon receiving this information, detectives applied for and was granted a search warrant for the residence of Jose Hernandez. During a search of the residence, detectives located a .38 revolver. Hernandez was subsequently arrested and transported to the Ascension Parish Detention Center where he was booked accordingly.

           Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, as per the plea agreement with prosecutors, Judge Verdigets ordered that Hernandez be committed to the Louisiana Department of Corrections for a total of 12 years with credit for time served. On the charge of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, Hernandez was sentenced to 12 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. This sentence is to be served without benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentenced. On the charge of Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile, Hernandez was sentenced to 10 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served on each count. The said sentences are to run concurrent with one another. Upon release from incarceration, Hernandez must register and notify as a Sex Offender or Child Predator for a period of 15 years.