Mother of juvenile sex crimes victim speaks out after man found guilty on all counts

An Arnaudville man has been convicted of numerous sex crimes against juveniles.

ARNAUDVILLE, La. (KLFY) – An Arnaudville man has been convicted of numerous sex crimes against juveniles.

A jury found Jack Joseph Ray Senior, 73, guilty on all seven counts, including two counts of molestation of juveniles, two counts of sexual battery of a juvenile, two counts of indecent behavior of juveniles, and one count of aggravated crimes against nature.

One of the victim's mothers is speaking nearly two years after his initial arrest. She says his conviction is a huge relief. "Tears of emotion, of joy. Justice was served. Our girls were taken care of. They don't have to live in fear anymore. Our reaction was rejoiced," the mother, who chose not to reveal her name, said.

She says her daughter was only 14 when ray senior molested her. She's 16 now. "That was a long, grueling, very difficult four days to have to sit and watch my daughter get on the stand and testify against the man that did this to her. It was probably one of the hardest things a parent could go through," she added.

She says the other victim, who was younger than 13 when the crimes occurred, was a family friend. She's like a daughter to her as well. "It's been so heavy for the last two years. The fear, the anxiety, the counseling, the crying nights, the endless pain that this has caused. The relief that comes with this is unmeasurable," the mother told News 10.

She credits that relief to the people who helped convict Ray Scenior. "Crimes against children are devastating to these victims and to their families, and these cases are sometimes often the hardest to prove," St. Landry Parish District Attorney Chad Pitre said.

He says after just two days of testimony and evidence, a jury of 12 voted unanimously to convict ray senior. "The thing that we take away from this trial is that justice was served for our girls, and they can rest easy," the mother added.

The victim's mother also thanked Bikers Against Child Abuse, who helped them through the trial from start to finish. "They held our hands. They guarded us. They protected us. They gave up their time when they didn't have to," she said. "To see the outpour of love that we have has been truly amazing."

Ray Senior will be sentenced on August 1. Arnaudville police, Hearts of Hope, the Department of Family Services, and Assistant District Attorney Katie Ryan all worked together to get this conviction.

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