Gibson man guilty of sexual battery

Published 4:06 pm Thursday, June 10, 2021

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Hahnville, June 10, 2021 – A St. Charles Parish jury deliberated for approximately two and one-half hours before returning its guilty verdict in the trial of 55- year-old Eddie Matthews. The jury found Matthews  guilty of one count of sexual battery. The victim in the case was 14 years-old at the time of the offense. The verdict concluded a four-day jury trial prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys, Rochelle Champagne Fahrig and Casey Diede

Judge Timothy S. Marcel ordered a pre-sentence investigation in advance of sentencing, which he set for September 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. Matthews faces up to 10 years with or without hard labor and any sentence imposed is without the benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence. In addition, the conviction requires that Matthews register as a sex offender.

“I want to commend the young victim in this case for having the courage to come forward and cooperate with the St. Charles Parish Sheriffs Office and my prosecution team through the trial’s conclusion,” said District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson, II. “This conviction would have been impossible without the cooperation of this brave young girl and her family. I must also applaud the efforts of Assistant District Attorneys, Rochelle Champagne Fahrig and Casey Dieck, for their unfailing determination to see this case through to its just conclusion”