By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

CONVENT — A registered sex offender from Convent is behind bars after allegedly breaking into a home and sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl.

St. James Parish Sheriff Willy Martin said Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a 911 call Sunday regarding an individual who had broken into a residence in Convent.

The suspect, who entered the residence through a window, allegedly went into the bedroom of a 10-year-old female and fondled her while she was sleeping.

According to Martin, the victim opened her eyes when she felt someone touching her and immediately began to scream. Martin said the female forcefully attempted to stop the suspect. The victim told authorities the intruder told her if she did not be quiet he would kill her.

Martin said the victim managed to flee her bedroom and ran into her mother’s room.

Authorities said the intruder fled the residence through the same window in which he had entered.

The victim’s mother immediately dialed 911, and upon arriving at the scene, deputies were informed by the 10-year-old victim the suspect was Jermaine White, 27, of Convent.

Authorities said the victim knew without a doubt the person who attacked her is White because he lives in close proximity to the victim’s home.

Martin said detectives gathered physical evidence that supported the statement of the victim. White was arrested and charged with attempted aggravated rape, aggravated burglary, simple assault and sexual battery.

He is currently incarcerated at the St. James Parish Jail in Convent, with a $105,200 bond set by Judge Guy Holdridge.

White, a registered tier I sex offender, was convicted of knowledge of a juvenile in October 2009. Because of that conviction, Martin said he is required to register with the Sheriff’s Office for a period of 15 years.

At the time of his arrest, Martin said White was compliant with the requirements of registering as a convicted sex offender, adding White’s registration was last updated on Sept. 23.