FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2024

Multi-State, Multi-Parish Partnership Leads to Conviction of Former FBI Agent

David Harris’s history of abuse first came to light in 2021, when he was indicted on charges of sexual misconduct across multiple jurisdictions. In addition to the Orleans Parish plea, Harris has been convicted in Ascension Parish, where his crimes have similarly harmed the community. Assistant District Attorney Leila Braswell, who oversaw Harris’s case in Ascension Parish, was instrumental in coordinating the cross-jurisdictional effort to hold Harris accountable for his actions.

Louisiana State Police Lieutenant Jay Donaldson and Federal Agent Marco Rodriguez from the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General played pivotal roles in the investigation. They uncovered critical evidence linking Harris to crimes across Louisiana, Texas, and Florida, ensuring that no aspect of his predatory behavior went unnoticed or unaddressed. Harris had one of the highest security clearances available in this country, and his actions spanned multiple states. Thanks to the diligence and expertise of these investigators, his pattern of abuse was brought to light.

DA Williams highlighted the importance of multi-agency collaboration in bringing predators like Harris to justice. “Predators don’t check parish or state lines when they inflict harm, which is why this case is a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Williams. “Federal, state, and local agencies came together to expose a predator hiding within one of our most trusted institutions. Their work ensures that Harris will never again abuse his position to victimize others.”

“Our reliance on DNA evidence is absolute in cases of sexual violence, but unfortunately, we face significant delays due to the limited capacity of the State Crime Lab,” said Williams. “New Orleans, like many jurisdictions, depends on the State Lab to process forensic evidence, but it is responsible for serving parishes all across Louisiana. This creates bottlenecks, especially in time-sensitive cases like sexual assaults.”

To address this issue, DA Williams issued a call to action for parish leadership and criminal justice partners to double down on their support of setting up a fully accredited and fully equipped crime lab in New Orleans by 2025. “New Orleans has to establish an accredited local Crime Lab so that we can process our evidence without depending on an already overburdened, backlogged state system,” he said. “With a local Crime Lab, we can expedite justice for survivors, prevent future abuse, and ensure that predators like David Harris are caught and convicted before they have a chance to harm anyone else.”

At the heart of this case are the victims and survivors—women and children whose lives were forever changed by Harris’s abuse. DA Williams commended the bravery of the victims, particularly the survivor in Orleans Parish, who came forward and enabled the prosecution to move forward.

“The courage of the Orleans survivor made it possible to stop a predator from continuing his abuse. We owe them our deepest gratitude,” Williams stated. “We are committed to supporting survivors every step of the way, ensuring that justice is not just served but done so with compassion and care.”

Williams concluded by recognizing the collaborative efforts of the investigative and prosecutorial teams, calling them a model for future cases. “This case shows what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and advocates work together for the common good. By combining resources and expertise across jurisdictions, we’ve shown that justice can and will prevail, no matter how powerful the predator or how complex the case.”