71-year-old Louisiana man charged with 100 counts of first-degree child rape in attacks spanning decades
A 71-year-old Louisiana man was arrested and charged with 100 counts of rape after it emerged that he had sexually assaulted several young against children dating back as far as the early 1970s.
According to a press release, the attention of deputies at the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office came to Harvey Joseph Fountain after they received a complaint of possible criminal sexual conduct involving juveniles that occurred in the Pineville area.
Initial investigations suggested that it was the 71-year-old, who works as a glazer for a local glass company, that perpetrated the sexually-based crimes upon juveniles while he resided in various locations in the area. The crimes allegedly began as far back as the 1970s and continued through the 1980s.
Parish Sheriff's deputies then took this initial report and detectives from the Kolin substation were assigned the case for the follow-up investigation. These detectives were able to gather evidence that supported the original allegations, which in turn led to sufficient probable cause being established and warrants being granted for Fountain's arrest charging him with 50 counts of first-degree rape.
On Tuesday, April 9, at around 4 pm, authorities located Fountain and took him into custody without incident. He was subsequently booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center, with his bond set at $500,000 — $10,000 for each count of first-degree rape.
Even after he was jailed, detectives continued their investigation, and soon, successfully identified additional victims. Sufficient probable cause was once again established and another warrant charging him with a further 50 counts of first-degree rape was granted.
On Friday, April 12, Fountain was re-arrested and re-booked into detention on his new charges. He remains incarcerated in lieu of posting his initial $500,000 bond, with the bonds for the additional charges not yet set.
The Daily Mail reported that despite the fact that the allegations are from incidents four decades ago, Louisiana is one of the states where there is no time limit imposed upon the initiation of prosecution for first-degree rape.
It is also a capital crime in the state, which means Fountain could be executed if found guilty of his charges. Lieutenant Stephen Phillips said due to the nature of the case, it will go before a grand jury.
The investigations are still ongoing and more arrests are possible. If anyone has information relating to crimes involving Harvey Joseph Fountain you are asked to contact the Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Main Office (318) 473-6700, Detective Jason Brumfield (318) 484-7350, Detectives (318) 473-6727, or Crime Stoppers at (318) 443-7867.