Natchitoches Parish District Attorney Billy Joe Harrington announced on Aug. 25 a combined 50-year sentence in a kidnapping, battery, and assault case.
Carlous Armstrong, 47, of Natchitoches, was convicted by a unanimous jury in July 2026 of three counts of second-degree kidnapping, one count of aggravated second-degree battery and one count of aggravated assault upon a peace officer.
The charges related to a May 2025 incident in which Armstrong fled from a Louisiana State Police trooper during a traffic stop in Natchitoches. Armstrong drove through an apartment complex before his vehicle became disabled as he attempted to cross a ditch. He then abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
During the foot chase, Armstrong pointed a firearm at the trooper. He later forced his way into a vehicle occupied by two women and ordered them at gunpoint to drive him away. Armstrong released the women a short time later, took their vehicle and drove to another area of Natchitoches.
Armstrong then forced his way into another person’s home at gunpoint. He severely beat the victim in the head with the firearm, causing serious and permanent injuries, and held the victim hostage for more than four hours. The injured victim was eventually released, and Armstrong later surrendered to a SWAT team.
At the sentencing hearing, Judge Desiree Dyess sentenced Armstrong to a total of 50 years at hard labor for the five felony convictions.
Following the hearing, Harrington recognized the law enforcement officers who responded to the incident and worked to bring it to a safe conclusion.
“We are grateful for the actions of the officers who pursued the suspect, secured the area and protected the victims,” Harrington said. “They worked diligently to prevent the loss of life. The sentence handed down today holds the defendant accountable and ensures that he cannot inflict this kind of violence on anyone else in Natchitoches Parish.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Bray Williams and Assistant District Attorney Jason Methvin.