Former Louisiana ICE Guard Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Detainee in Custody
A former ICE detention officer in Louisiana confirmed a guilty plea Monday in federal court for sexually abusing a detainee while she was under his authority — a breach of trust with possible long federal prison time. According to prosecutors, the plea comes amid mounting scrutiny of conduct inside immigration facilities.
The case raises serious questions about oversight and safety inside the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile, where contract guard David Courvelle, 56, was charged. Authorities said the abuse occurred while the woman was in custody, spotlighting power imbalances that federal law bars.
U.S. District Judge Robert Summerhays accepted Courvelle’s plea to one count of sexual abuse of a ward or individual in federal custody, which could bring up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000. The plea stems from actions between May and July at the ICE facility, according to court filings.
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Prosecutors said Courvelle developed a personal relationship with a Nicaraguan detainee, then engaged in multiple sexual contacts inside the facility, including in a janitorial closet with other detainees serving as lookouts, and smuggled items for her.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas Johnson detailed aspects of the plea agreement and evidence obtained by investigators.
The guilty plea matters because it underscores how a detention worker’s conduct violated federal custody protections and could lead to federal prison time, a rare public resolution in an area that often sees low visibility into internal abuse complaints.
Courvelle was released on a $10,000 bond after the plea; sentencing is set for April 10, 2026.
He faces a detailed sentencing report and potential restitution to the victim in the coming months.
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