DA’s Office Secures Felony Burglary Jury Trial Conviction Related to March 2022 Carjacking Incident in Algiers

NEW ORLEANS – This week, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office (OPDA) secured a unanimous guilty verdict for a felony conviction of burglary. Led by Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) Zach Creel and Ian Kersting, ​the trial resulted in Isiaah DeGrange being convicted of felony burglary ​related to a carjacking that took place in Algiers in March 2020.

“My office is committed to doing everything in our power to ensure that perpetrators in our city are held accountable for their actions. This conviction is proof of that commitment,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “I am proud of the hard work of my prosecutors Zach Creel and Ian Kersting for presenting a strong case and securing a unanimous conviction for the victim of this crime. Thank you to the NOPD for their hard work in investigating this case and providing our office with the evidence ​needed to secure a conviction. And thanks to the jurors in this case for providing justice; the role and dedication of these fellow citizens of Orleans Parish cannot be overstated. Our prosecutors will continue to hold those who cause harm in the community responsible for their actions.”

The trial took place in Section G of Criminal District Court; Judge Nandi Campbell presided. The defendant will be sentenced on August 9, 2022. DeGrange is facing up to 12 years in prison.

These cases complement the success of DA Williams and OPDA prosecutors to secure convictions ​via jury trial since the resumption of jury trials in March. When cases come to OPDA with sufficient evidence, the District Attorney’s Office has vigorously fought for victims of violent crimes. Guilty jury trial verdicts secured since March include:

• DA Williams, along with OPDA Trials Division Chief Matthew Derbes, secured the conviction of Samuel Hunter for the Second Degree Murder of Anthony Bridges in the 1700 block of Monroe Street on Christmas Day 2020.
• ADAs Liz Strauss and Adele Krieger secured the conviction of Demeccio Caston for the Second Degree Murder of Patrick Lamar in New Orleans East in August 2019
• ADAs Samantha Stagias and Carmen Gealogo secured the conviction of Trae Williams for the manslaughter of his uncle Eddie Salvant III in Algiers in April 2014.
• Chief Derbes and ADA Joe Zanetti secured the conviction of Harrison Bethley for the murder of his cousin, Darnell Thomas, in the 1800 block of Treasure Street in February 2020.
• ADAs Corbin Bates and Carmen Gealogo secured the conviction of Jhustyn Garrett for Domestic Abuse stemming from an incident that took place in the 5700 block of Saint Anthony Street.
• DA Williams, along with OPDA Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit Chief Mary Glass and ADA Naomi Jones, secured the conviction of William McDonough for the rape of a victim in the 900 block of Poeyfarre Street in September 2016.
• ADA/Screening Division Chief Andre Gaudin, Jr. and First Asst. Ned McGowan secured the conviction of Christopher Alexander for the murder of Idrick Brister in New Orleans East in 2018.
• ADAs Simone Levine and Brad Scott secured the conviction of Gerald “Frog” West for the murder of Marion Brit Hutson, Jr. in New Orleans East in February 2018.
• SAKI Chief Mary Glass and ADA Naomi Jones secured the cold case conviction of defendant Roland Butler for kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault in the 1100 block of Toledano Street in 1996.
• ADA Samantha Stagias secured the conviction of defendant Tremaine Williams for Aggravated Battery and Felon with a Firearm in New Orleans East in September 2020.
• DA Williams, along with ADAs Christian Hebert-Pryor and Screening Chief Andre Gaudin, Jr., secured the conviction of Garrett Ward for the killing of 60-year-old Arnold Jackson in the 2000 block of Saint Charles Avenue in January 2018.
• Deputy Chief of Trials Lilian Hangartner and ADA Samantha Stagias secured the unanimous conviction of Joshua Riley for a Third Degree Rape that took place in the French Quarter in July 2019.
• ADAs Alex Calenda and Katherine Messina secured the conviction of defendant Michael Robinson for the Second Degree Murders of Leroy Benn, Jr., Gavonte Lampkin, and Shantrell Parker that took place in the in the 5000 block of Tullis Street in Gentilly in July 2018.
• ADAs Tori Guidry and Susan Kutcher secured the conviction of Damien Jenkins for Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Felon in Possession of a Firearm, which took place in the 3600 block of General De Gaulle Drive in Algiers in March 2020.
• Deputy Chief of Trials Lilian Hangartner and ADA Penny Kissinger secured the conviction of defendant Shonnon Esteen for the rape of two minors in Orleans Parish between 2006 to 2010.

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