Current:Home > ScamsFormer 'Survivor' player, Louisiana headmaster convicted of taping students' mouths shut-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Former 'Survivor' player, Louisiana headmaster convicted of taping students' mouths shut
lotradecoin liquidity provider benefits View Date:2024-12-25 16:05:37
A Louisiana Republican elected official, minister and former realty TV contestant has been convicted of cruelty to juveniles in his previous role as headmaster of the Christian school he founded.
John Raymond, a 62-year-old member of the state's Republican Party's state central committee, was found guilty Monday on three felony counts of child cruelty. He's convicted of taping students' mouths shut during his time as headmaster at the Lakeside Christian School in the southeast town of Slidell in 2022.
A St. Tammany Parish jury also convicted the former "Survivor" contestant of second degree child cruelty for holding his hand over a 4-year-old child's mouth, keeping the child from breathing that same year. His sentencing date is scheduled for Oct. 23.
Raymond did not respond to requests for comment from the USA TODAY Network on the verdict. He has previously denied the allegations against him.
"I'm completely innocent of these charges and confident I'll be fully exonerated in a fair judicial process," Raymond said in an interview last year. "I love children, and that's why I started the school. I never hurt a child and look forward to putting these false charges behind me."
Raymond said the charges stem from "disgruntled ex-employees with an axe to grind."
Louisiana Republican Party to remove Raymond
The Louisiana Republican Party executive committee is expected to remove Raymond, according to Chairman Derek Babcock, who confirmed a vote will be held.
"As soon as I found out about the verdict I forwarded the information to our credentials committee, which our bylaws require," Babcock said as reported by The Shreveport Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. "The credentials committee will get back to the executive committee. We're just making sure we follow the process, but it's pretty cut and dried."
The Republican State Party endorsed Raymond last year in his unsuccessful bid for a state House seat while awaiting trial.
Louisiana Republican Rep. Mike Bayham of St. Bernard Parish told the USA TODAY Network he believes the GOP State Central Committee's leadership should remove Raymond, citing the bylaws allowing it with a two-thirds vote of the executive committee.
Bayham, who is also a member of the Republican State Central Committee, wrote on X Monday that "It's time to end the embarrassment."
A pastor, radio station owner and 'Survivor' contestant
Raymond is also the lead minister of New Horizon Church in Slidell and operates The Bridge 88.7-FM Christian radio station, which he owns.
He also appeared on "Survivor: Thailand," the fifth season of the reality competition show that aired in 2002. With six votes, he was first person eliminated from the season.
He is a familiar figure in the state Capitol who testified in multiple hearings supporting bills, like requiring schools to post "In God We Trust" in classrooms, officially allowing historical Bible courses to be taught in public schools and in favor of LGBTQ restrictions.
Among his written campaign promises: "Reject the woke trans-agenda."
veryGood! (77179)
Related
- 'Business done right': Why the WWE-TNA partnership has been a success
- Biden issues order curbing U.S. investment in Chinese tech sectors
- To the moon and back: Astronauts get 1st look at Artemis II craft ahead of lunar mission
- Arizona state fish, the Apache trout, is no longer considered endangered
- Get 70% Off Kate Spade, 70% Off Coach, 40% Off Banana Republic, 40% Off Disney & Today's Top Deals
- No Gatekeeping: Here’s the Trick I’ve Used Since 2016 To Eliminate Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps
- Attorney General Garland appoints a special counsel in the Hunter Biden probe
- Rachel Morin Case: Police Say She Was the Victim of Violent Homicide
- State, local officials failed 12-year-old Pennsylvania girl who died after abuse, lawsuits say
- 15-year-old boy killed by falling tree outside grandparents' South Carolina home
Ranking
- Police identify suspect in break-in of Trump campaign office in Virginia
- Two men, woman die trying to rescue dog from cistern in Texas corn field
- 'Heart of Stone' review: Gal Gadot shoots but Netflix superspy thriller doesn't score
- Navigating the Market Whirlwind: Mark Williams' Expertise in Swing Operations
- Beyoncé leads nominations for 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards
- Biden asks Congress for more than $13 billion in emergency defense aid for Ukraine
- Mary Cosby Makes Epic Return in Real Housewives of Salt Lake City Season 4 Trailer
- Everything to know about the new COVID variant Eris—and tools to protect yourself
Recommendation
-
Collin Gosselin claims he was discharged from Marines due to institutionalization by mom Kate
-
A dancer's killing — over voguing — highlights the dangers Black LGBTQ Americans face
-
$8.5 billion acquisition puts fashion giants Versace, Coach and Michael Kors under one company
-
Are movie theaters making a comeback? How 'Barbenheimer' boosted movie morale.
-
Meta kills off misinformation tracking tool CrowdTangle despite pleas from researchers, journalists
-
15-year-old boy killed by falling tree outside grandparents' South Carolina home
-
US probing Virginia fatal crash involving Tesla suspected of running on automated driving system
-
Fast-moving Hawaii fires will take a heavy toll on the state’s environment