SAKI Unit Secures First-Degree Rape Conviction

New Orleans, LA — On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, an Orleans Parish jury came back with a verdict of Guilty as Charged on Dagoberto Arias on First Degree Rape. The victim reported the sexual abuse in 2021 which had been ongoing from 2017 to 2020.

After noticing concerning changes in the victim’s disposition and behavior, her teacher alerted the school social worker. Thankfully, the victim’s disclosure was immediately believed and addressed by her school teacher, and social worker whose testimony at trial set the stage for the state’s case.

“Delayed disclosure of sexual assault, especially in cases involving children, is unfortunately common,” stated ADA Meghan Falcon. “The victim’s words are evidence deserving of vigorous advocacy. This conviction, I hope, affirms the respect owed to her honesty.”

ADA Meghan Falcon, ADA Ian Kersting, Senior TA Rachel Chimeno, TA Anika Butler, Victim/Witness advocate Janetta Gee, Investigator David Benelli, and Karissa Justice led the state’s prosecution team, while Sargeant Arnisha Ambrose handled the NOPD investigation.

“I am incredibly proud of the work that the SAKI Unit has done on this case,” said SAKI Unit Chief Mary Glass. “It is incredibly challenging to come forward after a sexual assault, even more so for a child. We are grateful to this victim, her family, her school community, and everyone who supported her.”

During the two-day trial, witnesses provided testimony about the disclosures of sexual assault that the victim made, as well as the impacts on her quality of life after the assaults.

Dr. Paige Culotta from the Audrey Hepburn CARE Center and Julia Fisher from the CAC interviewed the victim in the case and dove deeper into what the victim suffered from as a result of her abuse by the defendant. The victim, now 15 years old, took the stand and told the court about the actions of the defendant, and the aftermath they caused. The victim was confident and courageous for speaking to the court about the abuse she endured over the course of three years.

“It was incredibly clear to us in preparing this trial that we could trust what the victim was saying,” ADA Kersting said. “The victim consistently said it was Arias. It is our job to hold him accountable for his actions, to hold him accountable for what he did to an innocent child.”

“When a child survivor marshals the courage to tell an adult that they have been harmed, they are putting their trust in adults to act and do something about it. This case epitomizes the essence of the SAKI Division—listening to experts, constructing robust cases, and honoring survivor’s voices,” stated District Attorney Jason Williams. “Our agencies’ strong partnerships underscore our shared commitment to justice and our resolve to hold perpetrators accountable.”

Arias will be sentenced on June 13, 2024, in Section E. First Degree Rape carries the sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.