TOOK ONLY 8 MINUTES TO REACH VERDICTS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 15, 2024
JURY CONVICTS ST. GABRIEL MAN OF NUMEROUS PORNOGRAPHY COUNTS,
TOOK ONLY 8 MINUTES TO REACH VERDICTS
It took an Iberville Parish jury only 8 minutes on Thursday (March 14) to find a St. Gabriel man guilty of 15 counts of the production of pornography involving children under the age of 13, and five counts of possession of pornography of children under the age of 13.
Thomas Bourque, 72, of 7825 Hwy. 74, St. Gabriel, was prosecuted by 18th Judicial District Attorney Tony Clayton’s staff, including lead prosecutor Ali Meronek with Assistant DA’s Brillant Clayton, Tim Collins and Trent Shows.
Clayton said, “This was a disgusting case of abuse of young children. We were very aggressive in our prosecution, and as a result, he will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
The Assistant DA’s presented testimony that one of the victims, who was age 5 at the time of the incident, told her father that Bourque touched her and took a photo of her genitals. That complaint spurred the investigation, which uncovered pornography of two other young children on two different cellular devices belonging to the defendant. The pornography involved taking pictures of the victims’ genitals.
“The three minor children testified at trial, which showed exceptional bravery in facing the defendant in court,” said District Attorney Tony Clayton. “They are commended for making sure this never happens to another child at the hands of this man again.”
The trial was held before Judge Alvin Battiste, who set sentencing for April 4, 2024. The convictions carry a minimum 25 year to 99 year prison sentence on each count. The trial began Monday afternoon (March 11), and ended on Thursday, March 14.