While any criminal charge can bring harsh consequences upon a conviction, sex crime allegations can bring consequences over and above potential time behind bars and fines–registration as a convicted sexual offender can itself be a severe consequence. Many allegations underlying a sex crime may involve misunderstandings, or accusations of acquaintances.
Law enforcement accuses a 21-year-old Meraux, Louisiana, man of carnal knowledge after a Violet, Louisiana, woman contacted the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office, claiming that her daughter had broken up with the Meraux man.
Authorities say that the daughter, who is believed to be underage, says that the man threatened to post an imaginary sex tape online hoping to coerce the girl to remain in a relationship with him.
Authorities say that the young man never had any tape to post online. Officials say that he told investigators that he was just trying to scare the girl so that she would not break up with him. Law enforcement claims that the man met the girl online and developed a relationship with her, leading to a sexual relationship. Law enforcement claims that the man admitted having sex with the girl, whose age has not been reported in the media.
He has been arrested on suspicion of two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile teen and one count of extortion. He was booked in the St. Bernard Parish Prison with bail set at $75,000.
Prosecutors generally pursue sex crime allegations vigorously. A person suspected or accused of a sex crime should consider seeking the assistance of defense counsel to fight for his or her rights against the allegations and against the government’s lawyers.
Source: The Advocate, “Man, 21, accused of threats to use sex tape,” June 27, 2013