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February 7, 202516th Judicial District Attorney Bo Duhé announces that:On February 7, 2025, an Iberia Parish jury unanimously convicted Jeff Bourque, 47, of one count of first degree rape, one count of attempted first degree rape and two counts of molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13.The charges stem from Bourque's sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl. When she disclosed the abuse to her mother, her mother quickly reported the abuse to law enforcement. Law enforcement's investigation revealed additional materials that corroborated the victim's disclosure.A sentencing hearing is set before the Honorable Curtis Sigur on March 24, 2025. First degree rape carries a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment at hard labor, without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. Attempted first degree rape has a sentencing range of zero to fifty years at hard labor without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence. The sentencing range for molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13 is twenty-five to ninety-nine years at hard labor, with at least twenty-five years of that sentence served without benefit of probation, parole, or suspension of sentence.First Assistant District Attorney Michael Haik says, "Thanks to an 11-year-old girl who had the courage to tell the truth, a sexual predator will never be able to harm her or another child again. I would also like to thank the members of the jury for listening carefully to the evidence and the testimony before making their decision. Without good jurors, victims in cases like this one would not be able to get the justice that they deserve.I would especially like to commend Assistant District Attorneys Ashley Hammons and Brady Holtzclaw and Detective Gregory and Detective Meyers for the exceptional job they did to bring justice for this girl and the community to ensure this predator is behind bars."If you or someone you know is a victim of sexual abuse, please contact your local law enforcement and report the abuse. In Acadiana, Hearts of Hope provides resources to victims of sexual assault, including advocacy, counseling, and support. Their 24-hour crisis line can be reached at 337-233-7273.Assistant District Attorneys Ashley Hammons and Brady Holtzclaw prosecuted the case. The New Iberia Police Department with lead detectives Craig Gregory and Malinda Meyers (now with the Louisiana Attorney General's Office) investigated the case.
