Terry Lambright, District Attorney of Vernon Parish reports several convictions in the 30th Judicial District Court on August 18, 2025, before the Honorable Judge C. Anthony Eaves. Thomas Allen McCartney 37, of Leesville pled guilty to attempted 1st degree rape of a child under the age of 13. McCartney agreed to serve 40 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections and to be both, physically and chemically castrated as a part of his plea agreement. District Attorney Lambright would like to thank the victim and the victim’s family for their cooperation and assistance in seeing the is process through. He would also like to that the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division and the Criminal Division for the hard work they did investigating this crime, as well as the Louisiana State Police Technical Support Unit of the Alexandria field office for the forensic analysis conducted on McCartney’s phone that was seized during the investigation. “This is a horrific crime that never should have happened. Thomas McCartney is a predator that needs to be locked away from others in our community,” said Lambright. This case was prosecuted by 1st Assistant District Attorney Heath Dillon.

District Attorney Lambright reports the conviction of Xavier Dontee Miller 25, of New Llano in the 30th Judicial District Court. Miller, as a part of his plea agreement, pled guilty to illegal use of a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In accordance with his plea agreement, Miller was sentenced to serve 8 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Miller, after engaging in a verbal altercation with neighbors about children playing in the roadway and not permitting vehicles to navigate freely, obtained a firearm and discharged the weapon toward one of the parents. “This is reckless and dangerous behavior. At no time is it reasonable to believe that the situation Mr. Miller was facing regardless of his frustration, should he have resorted to recklessly discharging a firearm and endangering human life.” Mr. Lambright would also like to commend the New Llano Police Department for their quick response to this matter. Their thorough investigation allowed our office to successfully prosecute an individual that deserved prosecution.” This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Wayne Bush.

District Attorney Lambright also reports the conviction of Raymond Louis Williams 43, of Alexandria in the 30th Judicial District Court. Williams entered the home of his ex-girlfriend without her permission, attacking her and causing serious injuries by striking her about the head and face with a cell phone. Williams, as a part of his plea agreement, pled guilty to aggravated 2nd degree battery and was sentenced to serve 15 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections. Mr. Lambright would like to commend the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office as well as the Rosepine Police Department for their involvement in this investigation. This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Drew Mason.

In addition to these three (3) cases, twenty-eight (28) other cases were resolved with defendants pleading guilty to their crimes. “I appreciate all the assistance by the various law enforcement officers and the public in keeping our community safe,” said Lambright.