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Date: 05-20-2019

Case Style:

United States of America v. Raylaine Knope, 42, and Terry J. Knope II

Case Number: 2:18-cr-00160-CJB-DMD

Judge: Carl Barbier

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana (Orleans Parish)

Plaintiff's Attorney: Risa Berkower, Nicholas Reddick, Julia Evans

Defendant's Attorney: Steven Lemoine for Raylaine Knope


Michael Gerard Riehlmann for Terry Knope

Description:




New Orleans, LA - Louisiana Couple Pleads Guilty to Criminal Civil Rights Charges for Abusing Woman With Disabilities

Raylaine Knope, 42, and Terry J. Knope II, 45, pleaded guilty today in the Eastern District of Louisiana to criminal civil rights charges arising from their abuse of an adult woman with cognitive disabilities. Both defendants pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to obtain forced, unpaid household labor and services from the victim, identified as “D.P.” Raylaine Knope also pleaded guilty to one count of forced labor and one count of misprision of a felony. Terry J. Knope II, also pleaded guilty to one count of violating D.P.’s federal Fair Housing Act rights, one count of a hate crime, and one count of misprision of a felony.

At the plea hearing, the defendants, who were married at the time of the offense, admitted that, between Aug. 13, 2015, and June 30, 2016, in Amite, Louisiana, they conspired with each other and with other members of their family to obtain D.P.’s uncompensated household labor and services through a number of means, including by force, threats of force, and physical restraint. Both defendants admitted that they forced D.P. to live in a locked backyard cage and to perform housework and yard work in exchange for food and water. The defendants admitted that they and their co-conspirators subjected D.P. to routine physical abuse, threats, and verbal and psychological abuse designed to ensure her continued compliance with the family’s orders. As examples of this abuse, the defendants admitted that Raylaine Knope once forced D.P. to eat D.P.’s deceased mother’s ashes, and Terry J. Knope II, intentionally burned D.P. with a cigarette lighter while another family member held D.P. in place so she could not escape. Raylaine Knope also admitted that she used this overarching abuse to obtain D.P.’s forced labor, and that she helped Terry J. Knope II, steal D.P.’s monthly federal disability benefits. Terry Knope further admitted that, because of D.P.’s disability, he forced D.P. to live in the locked backyard cage and shot her with a B.B. gun at close range, and that he also helped others produce methamphetamine on his property.

“The Knopes conspired to brutally coerce a vulnerable victim with disabilities to work long hours in despicable conditions with no monetary compensation,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Department of Justice continues to combat human trafficking by forced labor and today’s guilty plea reflects our commitment to seeking justice for these vulnerable victims.”

“Today's guilty pleas highlight that the U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to work with the FBI and local law enforcement partners to pursue human traffickers and to seek justice on behalf of vulnerable victims," said U.S. Attorney Peter G. Strasser of the Eastern District of Louisiana.

“The defendants’ actions were heinous, despicable, and in-human. As a disabled person, the victim depended on her family to care for her but instead, they abused and mistreated someone who was unable to defend themselves,” said Special Agent in Charge Eric J. Rommal for the FBI New Orleans Field Office. “I am confident the courts will show them the proper sentence they deserve however, I am certain the victim will never out live these horrific memories."

Both defendants will be sentenced on Aug. 22 and face a maximum sentence of 28 years in prison.

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Field Office in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Tangipahoa District Attorney’s Office.


Charges:


18:1594(b) FORCED LABOR CONSPIRACY
(1)
18:371 CONSPIRACY, FORCED LABOR
(1s)
18:1589(a)(d), 18:2 FORCED LABOR, AIDING AND ABETTING
(2)
18:1589(a), 18:1589(d) FORCED LABOR
(2s)
18:1591(a)(1), 1594(a, 18:2 ATTEMPTED SEX TRAFFICKING BY FORCE, FRAUD OR COERCION, AIDING AND ABETTING
(3)
18:4 MISPRISION OF A FELONY
(3s)
42:3631(a)(b), 18:2 INTERFERENCE WITH HOUSING RIGHTS, AIDING AND ABETTING
(4)


Outcome: 05/20/2019 128 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Carl Barbier: Rearraignment for Raylaine Knope (1) Count 1s,2s,3s held on 5/20/2019. Sentencing set for 8/22/2019 09:30 AM before Judge Carl Barbier. (Court Reporter Mary Thompson.) (gec) (Entered: 05/20/2019)
05/20/2019 129 PLEA AGREEMENT by USA as to Raylaine Knope. (gec) (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/20/2019: # 1 Sealed) (gec). (Entered: 05/20/2019)
05/20/2019 130 Factual Basis by USA as to Raylaine Knope. (gec) (Entered: 05/20/2019)
05/20/2019 131 NOTICE OF HEARING as to Raylaine Knope, Terry J. Knope, II. Sentencing set for 8/22/2019 09:30 AM before Judge Carl Barbier. (gec) (Entered: 05/20/2019)

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