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Former Police Officer in Louisiana Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a 15-Year-Old Girl He was Supposed to Help

New Orleans, Louisiana – A former police officer in Louisiana has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl he was supposed to help.

According to court filings, in May 2020, Rodney Vicknair, 55, escorted a then-14-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by another man to the hospital for a forensic exam, generally known as a rape kit, while serving as an officer with the New Orleans Police Department. Vicknair offered to be the victim’s buddy and mentor and provided her with his cell phone number. Vicknair and the victim spoke on the phone and exchanged Snapchat messages for months and weeks after that. Vicknair, while in uniform, also frequently dropped by the victim’s home unannounced. Vicknair made sexually charged comments to the victim over time.

Vicknair arrived at the victim’s house on the evening of September 23, 2020. She had turned 15 at the time. He motioned for her to come outside and get into his car. She got into the passenger seat, and Vicknair remained in the driver’s seat. Then he locked the doors, preventing the victim from fleeing.
Vicknair leaned in closer to the victim, causing her to reportedly fear for her safety. He then sexually abused the female by touching her genitals without her consent under her clothing. Vicknair admitted in court that he behaved without a valid law enforcement purpose and that he was aware that his acts were unlawful and against the law, but he continued to engage in such behavior.

Vicknair has been sentenced to 14 years in prison and 5 years of supervised release.

New Orleans, Louisiana – A former police officer in Louisiana has been sentenced for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl he was supposed to help.

“We are grateful to this young survivor for coming forward, even though she thought no one would believe her,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “Had she not been willing to do so, we would not have been able to hold the defendant accountable for his heinous crime. This case should send a strong message to law enforcement officers who sexually abuse victims, particularly children, that they are not above the law and will be held accountable.”

“The public must be able to trust that law enforcement will faithfully execute their sworn duties or face the consequences for failing to do so,” said U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans for the Eastern District of Louisiana. “Our office, along with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and state and local law enforcement agencies, will continue to investigate and prosecute any violations of constitutional rights.”

“The FBI is dedicated to doing the work to restore public faith in law enforcement when individuals attempt to use the badge to hide their illegal behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr. of the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “We also thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Unit for their efforts in this case.”

The announcement was delivered by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans, and Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Williams Jr.

The matter was investigated by the FBI New Orleans Field Office and the New Orleans Police Department Public Integrity Bureau.

The case was prosecuted by Criminal Chief Tracey Knight for the Eastern District of Louisiana and Former Special Litigation Counsel Fara Gold of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

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