NEW ORLEANS – Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced that Jakiya Muller, a convicted sex offender, pled guilty as charged to First-Degree Rape on Thursday, October 30, 2025, and was sentenced to 35 years in state prison without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.
The plea concludes a case involving two survivors assaulted in separate incidents just days apart, each of whom demonstrated remarkable resilience and cooperation throughout the process. The sentencing hearing featured impassioned impact statements by both victims that moved everyone in the courtroom and underscored the deep trauma caused by this perpetrator.
One survivor shared:
“This has left painful images in my mind. Every time I’m alone, I see his face and have to fight to think of something better. I’ve become scared to talk to men; it’s made me even more depressed. Whenever I see someone who looks like him, it all comes back. When I get home from work, I just want to sit alone in the dark for peace and quiet. This will stay with me for the rest of my life. I have to fight to be brave enough to go places by myself. I’ve learned my lesson; I don’t talk to strangers anymore.”
Another survivor, who continues to work through the emotional aftermath, said:
“This experience has changed me. I live with anxiety now, and I’m not as comfortable around people as I once was. No one should ever have to go through something like this. I’m different now; but I survived.
It’s hard to put into words, because nothing compares to the pain and the memories. I try to block it out, but it always comes back. Some days I wake up and feel like I can finally breathe again, and then suddenly the memories hit me like a wave. It’s exhausting pretending this didn’t affect me when deep down, I’m still hurting.
All I want is peace. I want to stop replaying everything in my head. I want to stop feeling scared, angry, and numb all at once. Maybe one day, I’ll look in the mirror and see someone who made it through—someone stronger, someone still standing.
I’m learning to breathe through the hurt, to find small moments of light in the darkness. I may not be healed yet, but I’m healing.”
Assistant District Attorney Meghan Falcon led the prosecution team that prepared an airtight case, showing that Muller used physical force and threats of violence to overpower both victims. In one incident, he brandished a knife and threatened to harm the victim if she resisted. In the other, he used physical strength and intimidation to coerce a woman—who lives with a speech and learning disability—into compliance, causing significant emotional and physical harm.
Assistant District Attorneys Meghan Falcon, Corbin Bates, and Ta’Rae Owens prosecuted the Muller case, with support from Trial Assistant Kaitlyn Kite, Victim Witness Advocate Vickie Landry, and Investigator David Benelli.
This prosecution was made possible through extensive and coordinated investigative work by the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the Louisiana State Police (LSP). NOPD Detectives Herman Franklin, Maria Villavicencio, Maria Tucker, Reuben Henry, and Sergeant Jonathan Bulliung conducted a thorough investigation, carefully comparing each survivor’s description, timeline, and account of the assaults to confirm the same perpetrator was responsible for both attacks. Detectives then obtained corroborating forensic evidence, cell phone data, and identification confirmations, which were verified through expert analysis by Louisiana State Police crime lab analysts Julianna Andre and Lisa Barrett.
Assistant District Attorney Meghan Falcon, who worked closely with both survivors from the initial arrest through sentencing, commended their strength and impact:
“Both of these women demonstrated extraordinary courage from the moment they came forward. One survivor’s decision to report her assault not only brought justice for herself but helped solve another rape case. Their bravery turned pain into protection for others. It was an honor to stand beside them and deliver accountability and a measure of closure.”
Division Chief Mary Glass, who leads the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit, emphasized the importance of collaboration in securing justice for survivors:
“The SAKI Unit was created to stop serial offenders and ensure that every survivor’s case is handled with care, expertise, and persistence. I’m proud of ADA Meghan Falcon and deeply grateful to these survivors for their strength in seeing this case through from beginning to end. Their courage drives the very mission of this unit.”
District Attorney Jason Williams praised the victims’ courage and the relentless dedication of his Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) team:
“Sexual assaults are devastating. They leave lasting scars on survivors, their families, and entire communities. Our SAKI team has been tireless in its pursuit of justice, working hand-in-hand with the New Orleans Police Department, the Louisiana State Police, and national experts to ensure that every case is handled with precision, compassion, and the latest forensic science. This result is proof that when survivors are believed and supported, justice follows.”
The DA’s Office also recognized the critical support of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) at LCMC, whose trauma-informed care and meticulous evidence collection were instrumental in building this case.
The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office remains steadfast in its mission to eradicate violent crime and protect those most at risk, with a particular focus on bringing justice in cases of sexual violence that leave lasting scars on survivors and their loved ones. OPDA prosecutors will continue to work closely with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to prevent, investigate, and prosecute these horrific offenses until every neighborhood in New Orleans can rest knowing that those who prey upon the people of this community are held fully accountable.
