Patterson man could get life sentence after sex crime convictions

After a multiday trial, a St. Mary Parish jury on Thursday unanimously convicted Arthur Donald Lacoste Jr., 56, of Patterson of sexual battery and indecent behavior with a
juvenile, the 16th Judicial District Attorney's Office said.

The conviction stems from inappropriate sexual conduct with a juvenile victim whom Lacoste befriended. The inappropriate conduct occurred over a period of several years and
continued until 2020. when the victim made a report to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, the DA's office said.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the complaint and subsequently obtained an arrest warrant for Lacoste.

Lacoste is a registered sex offender. In 1998, he was convicted of multiple counts of molestation of a juvenile and sexual battery involving more than one victim. In 2004,
Lacoste was convicted of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

A sentencing hearing is set before District Judge Keith R.J. Comeaux on July 5. LaCoste could receive a sentence of 10 years with parole on the sexual battery charge. The indecent behavior charge carries a sentence of up to seven years.

However, Louisiana has special sentencing provisions for serial sexual offenders, which require that serial sexual predators be sentenced to life imprisonment, without benefit
of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Lacoste is a third felony sex offender and would be eligible for those special sentencing provisions, the DA's Office said.

Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Reasoner prosecuted the case with assistance from Heather Hendrix