Boutte sex-crime suspect shot himself, police say

Third alleged victim had recently come forward

A Boutte man who was accused of raping a young girl and sexually battering a 21-year-old woman shot himself as police moved in to make an arrest after a third victim came forward, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Louis Morales Sr., 66,  was found dead of what police say was a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Friday at 6:15 p.m. in his home.

Sheriff’s deputies were approaching Morales’ home at around 2 p.m. on Friday to make a felony arrest when they heard gunshots, spokesman Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange said.

“When they heard the shots, the officers took cover and called our special response team,” LaGrange said. “We were unable to contact the homeowner and we began evacuating nearby homes.”

Authorities tried to contact Morales for more than four hours but were unable to do so. At 6:15 p.m., deputies entered the home and discovered Morales dead from what is believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

LaGrange said that it appears Morales was alone in the house.

Morales was originally arrested on March 11 and charged with the aggravated rape and sexual battery of a juvenile as well as the sexual battery and intimidation of a 21-year-old woman, according to authorities.

Police say that Morales was related to the young girl.

“The victim was related to him, but did not live in the home with him,” Capt. Pat Yoes, Sheriff’s Office spokesman, said. “The victim told her school counselor what was happening to her and the counselor notified us.”

Morales was charged with nine counts of aggravated rape, the molestation of a juvenile, oral sexual battery and sexual battery in that case.

Authorities say that the rape and molestation took place over several years.

Morales was also charged with two counts of sexual battery on a 21-year-old female along with intimidation of a witness. Yoes said that the victim, who is a family acquaintance, was afraid to come forward at first because Morales allegedly told her he was a police officer and would put her in jail if she told anyone.

Last week, yet another victim came forward and said she was sexually abused by Morales.