Morgan City man indicted on seven rape counts

A Morgan City man has been indicted by a St. Mary grand jury on seven counts of rape, the Morgan City Police Department said Monday.

Johnell Thomas, 52, Leona Street, Morgan City, was arrested at 3:31 p.m. Friday on seven counts of aggravated first-degree rape.

Thomas had been arrested April 6 on two counts of first-degree rape, five counts of oral sexual battery, five counts of Indecent behavior with juveniles, and 15 counts of aggravated crimes against nature.

In March 2022, investigators with the Morgan City Police Department Detectives Division began an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. During that investigation,
Thomas was identified as the suspect, leading to his original arrest.

After the grand jury indictment last week in 16th Judicial District Court, Thomas was located and arrested in the Leona Street area and booked into the Morgan Jail, where he awaits court proceedings.

Bail was set at $2.5 million.

An indictment means that a grand jury has found that, in the absence of a defense, the prosecution case is sufficient to warrant a trial.

In Louisiana, the penalty for aggravated first-degree rape is life in prison without parole.