St. Mary Parish Jury Convicts Patterson Man of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile

On May 4, 2023, after a multi-day trial, a St. Mary Parish jury unanimously convicted Arthur Donald Lacoste, Jr., 56, of Patterson of Sexual Battery and Indecent Behavior with a
Juvenile.

The conviction stems from inappropriate sexual conduct with a juvenile victim whom Lacoste befriended. The inappropriate conduct occurred over a period of several years and continued until 2020 when the victim made a report to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Lacoste.

Lacoste is a registered sex offender. In 1998, he was convicted of multiple counts of Molestation of a Juvenile and Sexual Battery involving more than one victim. In 2004, Lacoste was convicted of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile. A sentencing hearing is set before the Honorable Keith R.J. Comeaux on July 5, 2003.

The sentencing exposure for sexual battery is ten years at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The sentencing exposure for indecent behavior with a juvenile is seven years, with or without hard labor.
However, Louisiana has special sentencing provisions for serial sexual offenders, which require that serial sexual predators be sentenced to life imprisonment, without benefit
of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence.

Lacoste is a third felony sex offender and would be eligible for those special sentencing provisions. Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Reasoner prosecuted the case with assistance from Heather Hendrix.