A Louisiana man reportedly may face chemical castration or the death penalty after he allegedly raped a four-year-girl on Aug. 1 and gave her Chlamydia.
Anthony James Jelks, 25, allegedly suggested that he raped the child on Aug. 1 at a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, residence, according to arrest documents obtained by WAFB. The child allegedly complained of redness and irritation and was hospitalized a Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital, where she tested positive for Chlamydia, the records read.
Authorities transported the child to the local Children’s Advocacy Center, where detectives said she alleged that the suspect “pulled her pants down” and “did things to her.”
East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney (DA) Hillar Moore reacted to the allegations, telling WAFB that his office is considering chemical castration or the death penalty for Jelks. “I can’t think of anything worse than raping a child,” Moore said.
In 2024, Louisiana made surgical castration and chemical castration a potential punishment in certain cases of sexual assault — the first state to make the move, the outlet reported. The death penalty is a less viable option after a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling found the death penalty is not allowed under the Eighth Amendment in instances of sexual assault where the victim is not killed.
Moore noted that the last convict given a death sentence for rape that did not end in homicide was in 1964 but said a Louisiana statute could grant him the opportunity to present the case to a grand jury.
“We do follow Supreme Court law, and we would have to change the decision by the Supreme Court to do that. But depending on the facts, if they are appropriate, this is something I would consider doing,” the DA said. (RELATED: ‘I Got That White Girl’: Charlotte Train Stabbing Suspect Offered Shocking Admission Following Brutal Murder)
The alleged rape is not the first time Jelks has gotten in trouble with the law, an official told WAFB.
“Mr. Jelks, we have arrested six times over the past six years,” Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said. “He has everything from firearm charges to domestic violence battery, violation of protective orders, and is currently on probation.”
Authorities apprehended Jelks on domestic abuse battery and child endangerment charges involving a 9-year-old back in March 2022, according to court documents obtained by the outlet. The man pleaded guilty to domestic violence battery and received a six-month prison sentence.
The Daily Caller contacted the Baton Rouge Police Department, who did not respond in time for publication.