NEW ORLEANS – This week, the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Division secured the conviction of serial rapist David Releford for 3 counts of Third Degree Rape that took place in 2006, 2008 and 2018. Led by SAKI Chief Mary Glass, ADA Naomi Jones, Trial Assistants Rachael Borges and Triston Lear, Victim Witness Advocate Ariel White and Investigator David Benelli, the defendant pled guilty as charged to 3 counts of Third Degree Rape and was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in prison and must participate in lifetime registration as a sex offender.

“Our office is committed to prosecuting sexual assault cases in New Orleans. This incredible violation leaves victims and survivors broken and missing a piece of themselves they can never get back. In this case, the defendant proved himself to be a serial rapist and needed to be held responsible for his egregious actions,” said District Attorney Jason Williams. “I am proud of the hard work of the SAKI Division on this case. Through real collaboration with NOPD, LSP, and Marshall University Forensic Science Center, we were able to bring closure to victims who have been waiting for justice a long time.”

According to NOPD reports, defendant David Releford raped 3 women.

In 2006, the victim and her friend went out to a bar on Bourbon Street where they accepted a drink from a stranger. The victim lost consciousness; later she awoke in the back of his vehicle with her clothes torn, bleeding and she demanded the defendant take her home.

In 2008, the victim went out to a bar in the French Quarter, lost consciousness, and awoke to the defendant choking and sexually assaulting her. She reported there were 2 other males assisting in the assault. The defendant strangled the victim until she lost consciousness. She awoke to the defendant raping her.

Both of these victims went to Charity Hospital New Orleans for Sexual Assault Forensic Exams. Their cases remained cold for years. In 2011, their cases were outsourced to Marshall University for a collaboration between NOPD, LSP and Marshall University Forensic Science Center to clear the backlog of sexual assault kits in New Orleans. Marshall University tested 836 sexual assault kits.

In 2018, the victim was out and later she went to the defendant’s apartment where he gave her a substance. She lost consciousness and she awoke to the defendant sexually assaulting her. She went to Charity Hospital New Orleans for a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam but chose not to involve the police at that time. She left the state. In 2019, she returned to New Orleans, reported the rape to NOPD and Detective Brandon McDonald began his investigation. Detective McDonald developed David Releford as a suspect, secured a DNA sample, and submitted it to LSP for testing.

That DNA sample matched the kit from the 2018 rape; it also solved the 2006 and 2008 cold cases.

SAKI Chief Mary Glass said, “The victims in this case deserve to be able to move forward in healing knowing that the person who violated them is being held accountable. The success of these cases rested on strong collaboration with NOPD Detective Brandon McDonald as well as our partners at the Louisiana State Police and Marshall University. Thank you to all of our partners who supported the work of the SAKI Division to secure justice for these survivors.”

The trial took place in Section K of Criminal District Court; Judge Marcus Delarge presided. Judge Delarge praised the victims for their bravery and for coming forward.

To learn more about the work of OPDA, please visit orleansda.com.

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