Keithville man convicted of molestation of juveniles

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — A Caddo Parish jury convicted a Keithville man Tuesday of two counts of molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13.

According to a media release, it took less than an hour for the eight-woman, four-man jury in District Judge Donald E. Hathaway Jr.’s court to convict David Wilson Waters, 64.

Officials say prosecutors called six witnesses to establish that Waters molested 7- and 8-year-old girls related to a close female acquaintance in 2016 and 2017. The first victim reported the abuse to a relative, who did not inform law enforcement. As a result, the failure of the victim’s family member to alert authorities led the victim to believe that nothing would happen to her abuser and that no one would believe her during her forensic interview at the Gingerbread House.

According to officials the second victim reported the abuse to a counselor in late 2018 and that counselor testified at trial. Waters was not arrested at that time and prosecution was not initiated until May 2020.

The defense called three witnesses, including defendant Waters. Defense witnesses testified the defendant was never alone with the victims, despite the fact that they lived in the same residence together for over a year. The victims’ female relation friend of Waters testified the victims were lying for a financial reason and that neither of the victims ever reported the abuse to her. Under cross-examination Waters could not explain inconsistencies between his testimony and a statement he gave to police in 2017.

Officials say in rebuttal, prosecutors called the mother of the victims, who testified that Waters’ female acquaintance who she said did in fact inform her of the victims’ accusation in 2017 but that the relative attempted to minimize the conduct.

Waters also was indicted for aggravated rape, but the victim refused to cooperate and appear at trial. As a result, that count was severed and the jury was not allowed to hear evidence of that crime.

He will return to court March 14 for sentencing. Officials say he faces at least 25 and up to 99 years in prison, to be served without benefit of probation or suspension of sentence.

He must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.