| 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. |