April 27, 2024: 16th Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhé announces that:
In 2021, a mandatory reporter contacted law enforcement to report that John
Vandercook admitted to inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile. During their
investigation, St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Deputies developed evidence—including
Vandercook’s own statements—that Vandercook had committed the first-degree rape of a
child under the age of thirteen; sexual battery of a child under the age of thirteen; and video
voyeurism of a child under the age of seventeen.
Vandercook was tried on those charges by a St. Mary Parish jury. After a three-day
trial, Vandercook was found guilty as charged of two counts of first-degree rape; five counts
of sexual battery; and four counts of video voyeurism of a child under the age of seventeen.
The mandatory sentence for first-degree rape is life imprisonment at hard labor
without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The sentencing range for
sexual battery where the victim is under the age of thirteen is from twenty-five years to
ninety-nine years at hard labor, with at least twenty-five years of the sentence being served
without the benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The sentencing range
for video voyeurism of a child under the age of seventeen is not less than two years nor
more than ten years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of
sentence.
A sentencing hearing is set for July 9, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. before the Honorable
Anthony Thibodeaux.
Assistant District Attorney Heather Hendrix says, “”The victim overcame her fear by
taking the witness stand and identifying the perpetrator, thus slaying the dragon. She left
that courtroom victorious, moving forward on her healing journey surrounded by the fine
members of Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.)’s Bayou Region Chapter1 and Ann Naquin, our office’s Victims’ Assistance Coordinator. I send heartfelt appreciation to the jury
for their focus, dedication, and service, which delivered justice to the victim.”
It is especially appropriate that this victim obtained justice during National Crime
Victim’s Rights Week. If you or anyone you know is a victim of a sex offense, we encourage
you to contact law enforcement to start the process of seeking justice. Additionally, you can
contact the crisis line for Hearts of Hope, which provides resources for sexual assault victims
in Acadiana at 337-233-7273.
Assistant District Attorney Heather Hendrix prosecuted the case with assistance from
Brady Holtzclaw, Jennifer Reasoner, and Katie Williams. The case was investigated by the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.