A former New Orleans police officer pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the sexual assault of a 15-year-old victim.
Rodney Vicknair, 55, reportedly met the victim in May 2020 when he escorted the then 14-year-old to the hospital as an officer to have a rape kit performed. According to a Nov. 17 news release, he volunteered to be her friend and gave the girl his cell phone number. In the months after, the two spoke on the phone and exchanged messages. Vicknair also showed up at the victim's house frequently in uniform unannounced. On one of his visits in September of that year, Vicknair sexually assaulted the girl under her clothing in his car.
“The defendant’s job was to protect a child who was a victim of sexual assault but instead he exploited her vulnerabilities and abused his position of power to carry out his own sexual assault of the victim," Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke said in the release. "Law enforcement officials who sexually assault children are not above the law."
According to the release, Vicknair acknowledged knowing his actions were wrong and illegal. His sentencing has been scheduled for March 8, 2023.
U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana Duane A. Evans called it "particularly disturbing" that a law enforcement officer would violate someone's civil rights. In the release Evans added, "the public must be able to trust that law enforcement will execute their sworn duties honestly and faithfully and, if not, that they will face the consequences of their actions.”
FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. said the plea "sends a clear message that individuals like Rodney Vicknair will be held responsible and no one is above the law," according to the release.
