The US Attorney's Office in New Orleans today announced a convicted cop is headed to federal prison.
Public Information Officer Shane Jones sent a news release saying that Rodney Vicknair "was sentenced in federal court to 14 years in prison for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old crime victim in violation of her constitutional rights."
Vicknair met the victim after he was assigned to her case while he was an NOPD officer.
"In May 2020, Rodney Vicknair, 55, while working in his capacity as an NOPD officer, escorted a then-14-year-old girl, who had been sexually assaulted by another man, to the hospital to undergo a forensic exam, also known as a rape kit," according to the news release. "Vicknair gave the victim his cell phone number and offered to be her friend and mentor."
Prosecutors say in the following months, Vicknair and the victim spoke on the phone and exchanged messages on Snapchat.
It was on Sept. 23, 2020, authorities say Vicknair arrived at the victim’s house, and he told her to come outside and get into his vehicle.
"She got into the passenger’s seat while the Vicknair remained in the driver’s seat. Then, he locked the doors so that the victim could not leave. Vicknair leaned over toward the victim, and she feared for her physical safety. He then sexually assaulted the victim when he intentionally touched her genitals under her clothing without her consent."
The Justice Department said Vicknair admitted in court that he acted without a legitimate law enforcement purpose and that he knew his actions were wrong and against the law but that he engaged in such conduct
anyway.
“We are grateful to this young survivor for coming forward, even though she thought no one would believe her,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Had she not been willing to do so, we would not have been able to hold the defendant accountable for his heinous crime. This case should send a strong message to law enforcement officers who sexually abuse victims, particularly children, that they are not above the law and will be held accountable.”
U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana said the public must be able to trust law enforcement.
“Our office, along with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to investigate and prosecute any violations of constitutional rights.”
