State Dismisses Charge - Gerald John Valerie

On June 7, 2018, a 5-year nightmare commenced. Our client, Gerald John Valerie, was falsely accused of the sexual battery of a nine (9) year old boy. This was a child that Gerald was mentoring and tutoring at the request of the boy’s grandmother.

Gerald is 65 years of age. He had never been arrested nor convicted of any crimes in his life. He was gainfully employed by the Calcasieu Parish School Board as an I.T. Teacher at Molo Middle School. Unfortunately, that employment promptly terminated on July 26, 2018. A warrant was issued for Mr. Valerie’s arrest. His bond was set at $175,000.00 and he had to pay a bondsman $22,000.00 to secure his freedom.

On August 23, 2018, our client was indicted for Sexual Battery (victim under thirteen). This offense carries a minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum sentence of 99 years imprisonment. The sentence has to be served without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.

Over the years Gerald rejected multiple opportunities to plead guilty to a reduced charge. On April 3, 2023, our case was set as #1 for trial and our client was ready to obtain justice. However, the District Attorney’s Office was not ready for trial. They claimed to have some recently discovered information that they needed to turn over to the defense. They also purportedly had difficulties securing the presence of a material witness. They filed a Motion to Continue and the judge granted it.

Our case was reset for June 26, 2023. Again, we were ready for trial and to obtain a not guilty verdict. However, that morning the Assistant District Attorney advised that the charge against Mr. Valerie was being dismissed.