Public tips lead to arrest of man accused of raping 94-year-old woman

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) – Police in Louisiana say a 22-year-old man was arrested and booked on several charges after he allegedly raped a 94-year-old woman.

Baton Rouge Police arrested 22-year-old Jeremiah Taylor on Friday in connection with the rape of a 94-year-old woman. He was taken into custody after detectives released photos through Crime Stoppers on Friday morning and received tips from the public identifying his location.

Investigators say the attack took place Thursday in broad daylight. The community response was crucial to identifying and arresting Taylor.

“Within just minutes of us releasing those photos, the public reached out to us and was able to give us information about the location of the suspect,” Baton Rouge Police Chief TJ Morse said. “Our detectives then went and were able to arrest the suspect within just a few minutes in the same vicinity.”

Police say Taylor was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Jail on charges of first-degree rape, second-degree battery, cruelty to the infirm and obscenity. He is being held without bond.

Morse says the evidence in the case is overwhelming.

“When you’re looking at one of the most vulnerable parts of our population, the elderly, to take advantage of them in this way, horrendous, unacceptable,” he said. “I don’t know what word you really use. I’m really dumbfounded to try to explain it.”

The WAFB I-TEAM found Taylor has prior arrests for rape, burglary and unauthorized entry, all within the past two years. He was released from jail in January after his most recent arrest was dismissed by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore’s office.

The pattern drew a direct response from Morse.

“It is a source of contention. It is a source of frustration on our department and with our officers,” he said. “Why this has happened is some questions that I would love you all to ask the rest of the judicial system.”

Neighbors say the victim was known on the street and was frequently outside tending to her yard.

“It’s just horrible. You know, Satan is busy,” said one neighbor, whose identity was concealed. “Stuff like this don’t usually happen around here. You know, everybody looks out and there was a sweet woman.”

A neighbor named Blaise also reacted to the arrest.

“It’s sad. Shouldn’t nothing like that be happening in the neighborhood, really. That’s sad. That’s sick,” he said. “I don’t think he [Taylor] deserves to live.”

Sources told the WAFB I-Team the victim sustained broken bones during the attack. The investigation is ongoing.