A White Castle man has been convicted of failure to register as a sex offender in a judge trial on June 9. He was found guilty by 18th Judicial District Judge Elizabeth Engolio in Iberville Parish.
Dwight W. Thomas, Jr., 34, of 32355 Ray St., White Castle was convicted of not notifying the community of his sex offender status upon his release from prison, as required by law. Thomas was being closely monitored by the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office for compliance with the sex offender regulations, and when he became non-compliant the Sheriff’s Office acted and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
After ruling on the case, Judge Engolio ordered a pre-sentence investigation, with sentencing set for September 2. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Nedi Morgan.
Thomas had served 3 years in prison for simple rape prior to being released, and had other previous convictions. District Attorney Tony Clayton said the DA’s Office would ask for the toughest sentence possible and will file a petition that Thomas be classified as a habitual offender, which would expose him to a term of 20 years to life in prison.
“We have no tolerance for violent criminals,” DA Clayton said. “We will lock them up and do everything possible to keep them there. His days of terrorizing our communities are over – he belongs in prison and we are working to keep him there.