Baiad sentenced to 20 years for 8 counts of sex crimes

By Vincent Lupo
(American Press)

Prison terms were imposed this week in separate state district courtrooms on two men accused of committing sex crimes against children.

Judge David Ritchie imposed a 20-year prison term without parole on Herbert J. Baiad, 62, formerly of DeQuincy, for one count of attempted sexual battery.

Judge Mike Canaday imposed a 14-year prison term on Vaene Douanboupha, 42, formerly of 3502 Crescent Drive, for aggravated incest amended from aggravated rape.

Baiad pleaded guilty this week rather than face trial on three counts of oral sexual battery, five counts of indecent behavior with juveniles and nine counts of sexual battery.

Prosecutor Sharon Darville Wilson combined all counts this week into one charge of attempted sexual battery, to which Baiad entered a guilty plea.

He was allowed to plead guilty under a legal provision that permits a guilty plea without admitting guilt. The defendant accepts that it is in his best interest to plead guilty because the evidence would likely lead to a conviction.

Wilson and defense attorney Leah White recommended a 16-year term for Baiad, but Ritchie said he was not comfortable with that sentence and upped it to 20 years.

Prior to imposing sentence, Ritchie listened to emotional presentations from family members of the victims. All said they agreed to the plea bargain to spare the children the trauma of a trial. But they indicated they would prefer a sentence that was longer than the 16 years recommended.

Baiad was accused of having sexual contact with four juveniles between January and April 2007.

The children were 13, 10, 8 and 4 at the time, Wilson said. Baiad only admitted to having contact with the 13-year-old.