A Shreveport man who photographed himself and his wife engaging in simulated sex acts in front of tender-age children was found guilty in Caddo District Court Wednesday, August 19, 2020.
Tony Darrell James, 34, faces a sentence of up to 25 years in prison when he returns to face District Judge Katherine Dorroh on Sept. 3, 2020. The statutory punishments for the crimes for which he was convicted are up to seven years at hard labor for indecent behavior with a juvenile and two to 25 years for indecent behavior with a juvenile under the age of 13.
The crimes occurred between Jan. 1, 2016 and June 6, 2018 in the family residence on West College Street. James photographed himself and his wife in simulated sexual positions in front of children ages 6,8 and 13. While visiting, a relative of the wife saw the pictures displayed on a wall and reported this to the Department of Children and Family Services. Ensuing investigation by DCFS resulted in the children being removed from the home and placed with a relative. However, the photos were not found at that time. Several months later the children disclosed that James took nude pictures of himself and their mother as well as the children. A search warrant was issued for the family home and police found a compact disc containing nude photos of the defendant and his wife in simulated sexual positions. Genitalia were visible and the adults were posed in sexually suggestive positions. During a post-Miranda interview, James confessed that all the children were present when the photos were taken and that 13-year-old was made to take some of the photos.
The wife previously pleaded guilty to one count of molestation of a juvenile and was not called as a witness.
The case is docket No. 358494. The trial began with jury selection Monday, August 17, 2020. The eight-woman, four-man jury deliberated two hours before returning unanimous guilty verdicts.
Prosecutors were Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Nancy Berger-Schneider. James was defended by Jeffery Sampson.