Louisiana pastor who competed on Survivor is exposed as serial child abuser
A Louisiana pastor and former Survivor contestant who claims to be “protecting the innocence of children in schools” has been convicted of child abuse.
John Raymond, 62, pastor of New Horizon Church in Slidell and founder and principal of Lakeside Christian Academy, was found guilty after a six-day jury trial.
The Republican church leader hoping to win a seat in St. Tammany Parish had taped the mouths of three 13-year-old students to punish them at the Academy.
Raymond was a contestant on the fifth season of Survivor, which was set in Thailand in 2002. He was the first contestant to be voted off the island.
He will be sentenced on October 23 and his bail is set at $100,000.
John Raymond, 62, the senior pastor of New Horizon Church in Slidell and the founder and director of Lakeside Christian Academy, was found guilty of child abuse
The leader of the Republican church who hoped to win a seat in St. Tammany parish had taped the mouths of three thirteen-year-old students to punish them at the Academy
In a public statement, he said he was dealing with a group of troublesome high school students who chose to have their mouths taped rather than face suspension.
Although he pleaded his innocence and claimed that he “loves children,” numerous instances of abuse came to light during the trial.
According to Law and CrimeIn one such incident, Raymond covered the mouth and nose of a four-year-old toddler who was known to sit on the floor, kick and scream during tantrums, to prevent him from breathing.
According to officials, he choked the boy until he went limp and only stopped when a staff member intervened.
The employee reportedly told detectives that the child had mucus coming from her nose, that she could not stand and that she appeared “numb and listless.”
After this incident came to light, he was also charged with second-degree child abuse.
Raymond was a contestant on the fifth season of Survivor, which was set in Thailand in 2002
The abuser is an elected member of the Republican parish board and currently serves on the Republican State Committee.
The abuser is pictured here with his wife, Elizabeth Raymond. He is scheduled to be sentenced on October 23 and his bail has been set at $100,000
In another similar incident, Raymond dragged the 4-year-old across the floor “by his ankles,” held him upside down and “whipped him on his buttocks,” officers said.
Northshore District Attorney Collin Sims, who prosecuted the case, said after the verdict, “I’m glad the victims got justice. The law is the law and at the end of the day, you don’t get to lay your hands on children that aren’t yours without a parent’s permission.”
Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher added: “A pastor’s duty is to guide the child, not smother the child.”
According to NOLA, the abuser is an elected member of the Parish Republican Executive Committee and currently serves on the Republican State Committee.