Man convicted of sexually assaulting acquaintance’s daughter

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning a guilty verdict for a Shreveport man on trial for multiple sex crimes against two underage female victims.

According to the Caddo Parish District Attorney’s Office, Daniel Scott Havis, 34, was charged with four counts of sexual abuse, including third-degree rape, sexual battery of a person under age 15, sexual battery, and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Prosecutors called eight witnesses to testify about repeated rape and sexual abuse perpetrated by Havis against the minor daughter of an acquaintance of Havis between January 1, 2020, and May 31, 2022. The victim told a local youth minister, who reported it to police and the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services. The DCFS investigation confirmed both the mother’s neglect and the abuse by Havis, who also reportedly propositioned and groped a juvenile while she visited the home. That incident was charged as indecent behavior.

Interviews with both victims were conducted at the Gingerbread House and played for the jury, along with in-court testimony. Defense attorneys argued that the two victims were not believed; however, jurors were not swayed, and Havis was convicted.

Havis will return to court on November 18 for sentencing, where he could be sentenced to up to 25 years for the third-degree rape, up to 10 years for each count of sexual battery. The indecent behavior with a juvenile conviction carries a penalty of up to seven years.