Lake Charles, Louisiana - A Calcasieu Parish jury has found Josue M. Soto-Rodriguez, 31, of Lake Charles, Louisiana guilty of first degree rape, according to an announcement from the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office on April 1st.

The conviction stems from a 2022 incident in which Soto-Rodriguez forced a six-year-old victim to perform oral sex on him. Under Louisiana law, first degree rape includes sexual acts perpetrated against victims under the age of 13.

Soto-Rodriguez now faces a mandatory life sentence for the conviction. His formal sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 17th before Judge Lee Hoffoss.

The prosecution was handled by Deputy Chief of Litigation Taylor Alexander and Assistant District Attorney Kadence Huber, representing the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.

First degree rape is considered among the most serious sexual offenses in Louisiana's criminal code, carrying the state's harshest penalties due to the severity of the crime and the vulnerability of victims involved.