Sex offender found guilty of molesting 6-year-old girl

A 12-person jury Wednesday unanimously found a Donaldsonville man guilty of molesting a 6-year-old girl, according to a report from 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin.

Chester L. Redmond III, 38, 1337 Cy-Bean Rd., Donaldsonville, was found guilty of inappropriate touching of the girl while she was at her grandmother’s home, which she shared with the child’s aunt, Babin reported.

Redmond also touched the child with his genitals, according to the report.

The acts occurred on or between Feb. 1, 2007 and March 31, 2007, he said.

The child told a babysitter, who immediately reported to the child’s parents, prompting an investigation by the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office, Babin said.

A forensic medical examiner with the Ascension Parish Coroner’s Office conducted an examination of the child and testified that his findings were consistent with sexual abuse, Babin added.

Redmond has a previous conviction in 1999 for second degree battery and in 2001 for accessory after the fact to aggravated rape, according to the report.

Redmond faces a minimum of 25 years to life in prison because the child was under the age of 13 at the time of the crime.

Judge Ralph Tureau ordered that the defendant be held on a $500,000 bond pending sentencing, and ordered a pre-sentence investigative report prior to setting a sentencing date, Babin said.

Robin C. O’Bannon and Trent Garrett prosecuted the case for the state, and Raymond Gautreau represented Redmond.