Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain
Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain faces a mandatory life sentence after it took five hours for a jury to convict him on eight charges of sex crimes involving several juveniles dating back to the 1970s. District Attorney Warren Montgomery credited his staff for their hard work…
“Jack Strain was a very powerful and influential individual this was a high stakes prosecution,” said Montgomery.
A jury of six men and six women found him guilty of four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated incest and one count of sexual battery, and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.
The jury deliberated for more than five hours yesterday over the charges the former sheriff of 20 years faced. Montgomery said the guilty verdict is important because it reminds the public that everyone must be held accountable.
“Obviously, it shows that no one is above the law, but it also shows that our system, although not perfect works,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery said has as hard the trial process was for the prosecutors, the jury to hear the evidence, and especially the five victims who testified, he hopes the verdict will bring Strain’s victims peace.
“There’s been a benefit in that those victims, now know that justice has been served. And I hope that that helps them reach some closure in their lives,” said Montgomery.
Strain will be formally sentenced on January 18th however the charges that he’s been found guilty of require a mandatory life sentence.
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