FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 22, 2024

Orleans Parish DA’s Special Victims Unit Delivers Justice for Survivor in Child Rape Case

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Friday, November 15, 2024, a Orleans Parish jury unanimously found Kevin Gamez-Marodiaga guilty as charged for first-degree rape of a child, and indecent behavior with a juvenile under the age of 13. This conviction highlights the commitment of the team at the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in their relentless pursuit of justice for the most vulnerable victims.

The evidence presented in court revealed a harrowing pattern of predatory behavior by Kevin Gamez-Marodiaga. Hired as a contractor to work with a family member of the victim, Gamez-Marodiaga exploited this connection to gain access to the young victim. He would return to the home late at night, targeting the child in vulnerable moments—sometimes in his car or in an abandoned building adjacent to the house.

Eventually, the brave victim confided in a trusted adult, setting in motion a chain of support. The family sought help from the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the victim’s school. A social worker and teacher at the school took swift action, calling 911 to report the child’s heartbreaking disclosure and ensuring the case was brought to light.

“This guilty verdict is a testament to the hard work and unwavering dedication of our entire team,” stated District Attorney Jason Williams.

Continuous Effort & Evolution

“This verdict comes at a time when our office is actively participating in multi-agency human trafficking training, highlighting our unwavering commitment to protecting and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our community,” said District Attorney Williams. “This case reinforces our resolve to continue these vital efforts as we also continue focus on broadening our expertise to better combat these complex and heinous crimes.”

“I am deeply honored to be part of a dedicated team that tirelessly works to ensure a child’s voice is not only heard but also understood in the pursuit of justice. In this case, the jury truly listened. A child’s courage was recognized, their voice was amplified, and justice was rightfully served.” – Assistant District Attorney Denisse Parrales

Amplifying the Voices of Survivors: The Courage That Brings Justice

Special Victims Unit Deputy Chief Michelle Jones stated, “Child sexual abuse cases are often the most difficult to investigate, and in the vast majority of these cases, there is delayed reporting.” She elaborated, “Children frequently delay coming forward due to fear of not being believed, fear of retaliation, or feelings of guilt and shame, sometimes blaming themselves for what happened.”

Deputy Chief Jones concluded, “It’s the courage and voices of our children that bring justice to these cases. We are grateful that the jury not only listened to our survivor but delivered the justice she so rightly deserved.”

“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone on this team because achieving justice is truly a team effort. I especially want to recognize Karissa Justice, who demonstrated remarkable compassion and dedication. While the victim testified, this little girl kept her hand on Karissa the entire time. Karissa provided the comfort and support she needed in that moment to find the courage to speak about the abuse she endured.” – Deputy Chief Michelle Jones

Sexual assault, particularly against children, has lasting, lifelong traumatic impacts. Oftentimes, these crimes & cases do not get the priority attention they deserve. But our commitment to this work is unwavering – we will continue to fight for our city and especially the survivors & victims who rely on us.

Thank you to the hard work and dedication of the incredible team that collectively fought for and obtained a just verdict in this case. Special Victims Unit (SVU) Deputy Chief Michelle Jones, Assistant District Attorney Denisse Parrales, lead Detective Tracey Raney of NOPD’s Sex Crimes Unit, our SVU Program Manager Sydney Houlemard, Victim Witness Advocate Dr. Janetta Gee, Investigator Ronnie Puigh, and Trial Assistant Daphne Carroll.
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Contact: Ken Thomas, Communications Manager

Tel: 504.816.2165

Email: communications@orleansda.com