The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking residents to keep their eyes open for Leroy Ray, who investigators say is wanted on an active warrant for cruelty to juveniles. Deputies say Ray is being sought by detectives, but the public notice did not include additional information about what allegedly happened or when.
In a post on the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, officials asked anyone with information on Ray’s whereabouts to call the department’s tips line at 985-359-TIPS or to send information online through the sheriff’s Send A Crime Tip page. The post lists Detective Javonna Cordova as the primary contact for the case at 985-212-4756. Authorities are also reminding residents not to approach anyone they believe may be wanted, and to contact law enforcement instead.
What the charge means under state law
Under Louisiana law, cruelty to juveniles is a criminal offense that can lead to fines and a prison sentence. Basic cruelty to juveniles is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while second-degree cruelty carries significantly higher maximum penalties. The statute spells out the elements of the crime and the full range of possible sentences. The full text of the law and penalty details are available in the Louisiana Revised Statutes.
How to report tips and stay safe
Anyone with information about Leroy Ray is asked to call the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office tips line at 985-359-TIPS or send a report through the sheriff’s official Send A Crime Tip form. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, call 911. Officials stress that the public should not try to confront or detain anyone who might be wanted, and should instead let trained officers handle any in-person contact.
Legal note
A warrant means a judge has reviewed information and found probable cause to authorize an arrest. It is not a conviction, and anyone named in a warrant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. In this case, the sheriff’s public notice included the name of the person sought and the alleged offense, but did not release further details about any alleged victims or the timeline of the incident.
