A four-month criminal investigation has led to the arrest of a Robeline man on sexual assault charges according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The investigation began on October 14, 2022, when Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies were notified of a juvenile sex assault victim being treated at Natchitoches Regional Medical Center.
Deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to gather and collect information for an offense report.
A detective with the NPSO Criminal Investigations Division also responded to the hospital to interview the parents and victim.
A physical evidence recovery kit was completed by a SANE-Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and turned over to the detective for crime lab analysis.
During the course of the investigation which included more interviews and evidence collection, detectives summoned assistance from Project Celebration in Many, La.
Additional forensic evidence obtained by Project Celebration, led to detectives obtaining a search warrant signed by a 10th
Judicial District Judge to retrieve a DNA sample from a suspect identified in the investigation.
The results of the Northwest La. Crime Lab DNA analysis returned on January 11, 2023.
That same day, NPSO Detectives contacted and interviewed a suspect identified as 18-year-old Jonathan Cody Berry of Robeline, La. at the NPSO Criminal Investigations Office.
Detectives say probable cause based on interviews and sufficient evidence in the investigation led to the arrest of Berry.
Jonathan Cody Berry, 18, of Robeline was transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 4-Counts of First Degree Forcible Rape of a Victim under the Age of 13.
Bond on Berry has been set by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge at $500,000.00 dollars.
Detectives say shortly after the arrest of Berry. The family of the victim began receiving alleged electronic threats from the suspect’s father. An investigation into the threats and evidence gathered by detectives led to sufficient evidence and probable for a criminal arrest warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Judge for the arrest of Carlos Ray Berry.
On January 12, 2023 at approximately 4:42pm, Carlos Ray Berry, 56, of Robeline was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-Count of Felony Intimidation of a Witness.
No bond has been set.
Case Agent:
Detective Sgt. Amber Shirley
NPSO Criminal Investigations
Detective Lt. Jonathan Byles
NPSO Criminal Investigations
Detectives say due to the sensitivity of the case and to preserve the integrity of the investigation no further information will be released at this time pending judicial proceedings in the 10th Judicial District Court.
We would like to thank Natchitoches Regional Medical Center and Project Celebration for their professionalism during this investigation.
If you have any information contact the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau at 318-357-7830.
“All Persons are Presumed Innocent until Proven Guilty in the Court of Law or Administrative Process.”
