OPDA’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and Special Victims Unit secure guilty verdicts

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Two men have been found guilty in two separate sexual assault cases. The verdicts were part of the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office.

“Those who prey on others in the city of New Orleans will be dealt with,” said Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.

That’s the message Williams, along with the Special Victims Unit, wants to make clear as they work to clear a backlog of sexual assault cases.

“We want to get closure as fast as we can to the survivors that are brave enough to come forward, cutting through the backlog as quickly as possible,” said Williams.

This comes as the District Attorney’s Office announced guilty verdicts in two sexual assault cases.

Jermeil Young was convicted on four counts of first-degree rape which he committed over two years. Torey Hobson was found guilty of molestation of a juvenile under 13, as well as indecent behavior with a juvenile under 13.

Chief of the Special Victims Unit, Michelle Jones, says the investigations involving children are the toughest. She praises the victims for taking the stand and telling their stories years later.

“These four young girls who testified in this case did absolutely amazing. They showed such courage to be able to come forward and talk about what happened to them. We do our best to seek justice for them, get them some closure and help them use their voice,” said Jones.

“You’re basically snatching a person from living, back into those moments, because they’ve got to recreate that story and recreate that narrative for the jury to understand, for the jury to convict,” said Williams.

With a number of cases still to go, Williams says they are institutionalizing what has worked while casting aside what has not.

“We’re taking stock. We’re doing a self-audit on a regular basis to make sure that we don’t find ourselves in a backlog again, as we crawl our way out of it. Now going to be doing that in every other area,” said Williams.

For more information or resources for survivors of sexual and domestic violence, please contact the agencies below.

New Orleans Family Justice Center
Services: crisis counseling, legal advocacy, shelter, and safety planning.
Contact: (504) 592-4005

Metropolitan Center for Women and Children (metro)
Services: emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, and 24/7 crisis hotline.
Crisis hotline: (504) 837-5400

Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response
Services: confidential advocacy, counseling, and legal support for sexual violence survivors.
New Orleans office: (504) 407-0711

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