La. man who raped young child sentenced to 35 years and must undergo chemical castration

AMITE, La. (TCD) — A 34-year-old man was sentenced to a total of 35 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree rape, two counts of molestation of a juvenile under 13, and sexual battery.

According to the 21st Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Ryan Clark’s first 25 years in the Department of Corrections will be “served without benefits,” but he receives credit for time served. He will not be able to communicate with the victims, must register as a sex offender for life, and give up parental rights. The statement adds Clark will “submit to chemical castration upon release.”

Chemical castration occurs when an offender is given a drug called medroxyprogesterone acetate. The Justice Department says a person “undergoing this treatment is no longer motivated to commit sex offenses and is more amenable to psychotherapy that can enable him to reintegrate into the community.”

On July 16, 2020, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office received information about potential indecent behavior between Clark and a juvenile that had lasted for over a year. The child spoke with investigators at the Children’s Advocacy Center and “was able to detail all the incidents.”

During the interviews, detectives learned of a possible second victim.

Clark was arrested July 17, 2020, on charges of sexual battery and molestation of a juvenile. Prosecutors later added a rape charge.

He was indicted Feb. 12, 2021, on charges of first-degree rape with the victim under 13, two counts of molestation of a juvenile, and sexual battery. He pleaded guilty March 1, 2023.

The District Attorney’s Office said Clark was previously convicted of misdemeanor carnal knowledge of a juvenile after he received oral sex from a minor in public.

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