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Former Grand Isle council member sentenced to 45 years for molestation convictions

'I believe this is a life sentence,' said judge

Former Grand Isle council member sentenced to 45 years for molestation convictions
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A judge in Jefferson Parish sentenced 81-year-old Elgene Gary Sr. to 45 years in prison after a jury convicted him last month for molesting two underage girls who are now adults.

Gary is a former Grand Isle police officer and former member of the Grand Isle town council.


On May 29, the jury returned verdicts of guilty on three counts of sexual battery. Two of the counts involved the same victim.

One woman testified that when she was seven years old, Gary began abusing her and continued to do so until she was 15. She said she only felt safe to report it to law enforcement after her family moved from Grand Isle following Hurricane Ida in 2021.

The other victim said Gary abused her when she was between the ages of seven and 10, between 1988 and 1991.

Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach ordered Gary to serve 25 years for sexual battery of a juvenile under age 13, and 10 years for each of the two sexual battery charges.

The judge ordered that the sentences shall be served consecutively, for a total of 45 years.

"Given that he is (81) years old and has numerous health issues, I believe this is a life sentence," Judge Kovach said.

'I believe this is a life sentence,' said judge