Pearl River Man Guilty of Rape and Crimes Against Nature

District Attorney Warren Montgomery reports that on Monday (July 17, 2023), a 12-person jury in St. Tammany Parish unanimously found 46 year-old Doyle Eugene Glaze, Jr. of Pearl River guilty as charged on one count of first-degree rape of a victim under the age of thirteen, two counts of aggravated crime against nature of victims under the age of thirteen and one count of aggravated crime against nature of a victim under the age of eighteen. District Judge Vincent Lobello presided over the trial.

There were three minor victims involved in the case. The sexual abuse occurred on multiple occasions between 2015 and 2019. In October of 2020, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office began an investigation regarding juvenile sexual abuse after sexual images were discovered on the then eight-year-old victim’s phone. The youngest victim disclosed that the defendant had raped her vaginally and orally, as well as digitally penetrated her on multiple occasions. Two other victims disclosed sexual abuse by the defendant including fondling of their breasts and thighs. Subsequent to the children participating in forensic interviews and medical examinations, an arrest warrant was obtained. The defendant was arrested on February 23, 2021 in Picayune, Mississippi.

At trial, all three victims testified that they were afraid to disclose the abuse to anyone because of their abuser’s harsh treatment. One of the victims testified that he might “beat me if I told.” Another victim testified that he said “come here or I’ll shoot you.” Punishments ranged from hitting with a belt to kneeling on rice for hours to being locked in a hot room in a trailer. DCFS had been called to the home on two occasions.

During trial, the jury was presented with evidence including video of the victims’ forensic interviews, records of their medical examination and testimony from a child sexual abuse expert. All three victims testified and identified the defendant as their abuser.

In closing argument to the jury, Assistant District Attorney Doug Freese said, “The Defendant is not just a rapist, but a thief. He’s stolen their innocence, peace of mind, hope and worth. There is one thing you can do to restore them, and that is a just verdict. Tell these victims they are worthy.”

The defense told the jury that the children were coached for custody purposes. Assistant District Attorney Tiffany Dover clarified for the jury: “This case isn’t about custody because no one was seeking the kids.” She concluded by saying, “These victims need you twelve to believe them, make them safe so they know that nothing else will happen to them.”

At sentencing on October 23, 2023, Glaze will be facing a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence.

Assistant District Attorneys Tiffany Dover and Doug Freese prosecuted the case. Detective Sarah Ryals of the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Dr. Anne Troy of the Audrey Hepburn Care Center was the State’s expert witness in the field of Forensic Child Sexual Abuse.