A former Louisiana police officer who sexually assaulted children as young as eight will be castrated in addition to receiving three life sentences. Kedreyon K. Williams, 31, was convicted of a series of offences against youngsters aged between eight and 11.
District Attorney Calls for Additional Punishment
District Attorney Tony Clayton labelled the former officer a "child predator" and said the additional penalty was warranted. "He performed disgusting acts on children who could not defend themselves," Clayton said.
"He is a child predator and he deserves exactly what he is getting and more. The castration is another layer of punishment for these horrendous crimes. If a man takes sexual advantage of a child, and we will take his manhood," he added.
Crimes at Fire Stations and Home
Williams, who also served as a volunteer firefighter, carried out some of the abuse at fire stations where he volunteered, as well as at his place of work and home. He was found guilty of three counts of first-degree rape of juveniles, indecent behaviour with a juvenile and possession of pornography involving juveniles following a trial at the 18th Judicial District Court in New Roads in October.
The court was told how Williams had raped children and forced them to perform sexual acts on him across multiple locations, including New Roads fire stations. The investigation began after the mother of one of the victims alerted police following her child's disclosure of the abuse. Officers subsequently uncovered additional victims as their inquiry expanded, while footage retrieved from his mobile phone showed him sexually abusing a child.
Judge Describes 'Worst Case'
During sentencing, District Judge Kevin Kimball described Williams' offences as the "worst case" of child sexual abuse he had ever encountered. Although first-degree rape already carries a mandatory life sentence in Louisiana, Clayton pursued an additional penalty by submitting a motion requesting castration.
Louisiana law permits castration to be imposed for certain grave sexual offences against children, though the district attorney's announcement did not clarify whether Williams would undergo chemical or surgical castration.
