By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-09-25 21:55:57 | Updated at 2024-09-30 23:44:39
5 days ago
A Louisiana pastor and ex-Survivor contestant who claims to 'protect the innocence of children in schools' has been convicted of juvenile cruelty.
John Raymond, 62, the lead minister of New Horizon Church in Slidell and the founder and headmaster of Lakeside Christian Academy, was found guilty after a six-day jury trial.
The Republican church leader who was hoping to win a seat in St. Tammany Parish had taped the mouths of three 13-year-old students to punish them at the Academy.
Raymond was a contestant on the fifth season of Survivor, set in Thailand back in 2002. He was the first contestant voted off the island.
He will be sentenced on October 23 and his bond is set at $100,000.
John Raymond, 62, the lead minister of New Horizon Church in Slidell and the founder and headmaster of Lakeside Christian Academy, was found guilty of juvenile cruelty
The Republican church leader who was hoping to win a seat in St. Tammany Parish had taped the mouths of three 13-year-old students to punish them at the Academy
In a public statement, he said that he was dealing with a troublesome group of middle school students who chose to have their mouths taped rather than be suspended.
While he pleaded his innocence and claimed he 'loves children', numerous incidents of abuse have emerged during the trial.
According to Law and Crime, in one such incident Raymond covered the mouth and nose of a four-year-old pre-K student who was known for sitting on the ground while kicking and screaming during 'tantrums' to prevent him from breathing.
Officials stated that he suffocated the boy to the point of him going 'limp' and only stopped when a staff member intervened.
The employee reportedly told detectives the child had mucus coming out of his nose, was unable to stand up and seemed 'out of it and lethargic.'
After this instance emerged, he also faced a second-degree child cruelty charge.
Raymond was a contestant on the fifth season of Survivor, set in Thailand back in 2002
The abuser is an elected member of the Republican Parish Executive Committee and currently serves on the Republican State Central Committee
The abuser is pictured here with his wife, Elizabeth Raymond. He will be sentenced on October 23 and his bond is set at $100,000
In another such incident, Raymond dragged the four-year-old across the floor 'by his ankles' and held him upside down and 'whipped him on the buttocks,' officers said.
Northshore District Attorney Collin Sims who prosecuted the case said after the verdict: I'm glad that the victims obtained justice. The law is the law and, at the end of the day, you can’t put your hands on kids that aren’t yours without a parent’s permission.'
Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher also added: 'It was a pastor’s duty to counsel, not suffocate, the child.'
The abuser is an elected member of the Republican Parish Executive Committee and currently serves on the Republican State Central Committee, according to NOLA.
