Jerry Celestine, the subject of a March 14 police manhunt charged with kidnapping his ex-girlfriend and holding her at gunpoint in Paradis, pleaded guilty to aggravated battery and will serve 1-1/2 years in prison.
Celestine’s total sentence could run up to six years, but he can avoid 54 months of the sentence by fulfilling terms of his probation, set to begin on his release from the 18-month term he serves immediately. He received credit for time served since his arrest in March.
A charge of second-degree kidnapping was dropped as part of a plea bargain.
According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the victim in the case and Celestine have a 1-year-old child together. She left her Paul Maillard Road residence in Luling in her vehicle the morning of March 14 and began driving to her aunt’s house when she saw Celestine on the side of the road.
She told police he stopped in front of her vehicle and got into her car. When she refused his demands to drive, Celestine reportedly produced a handgun and placed it to the side of her head. He again demanded she drive.
She also told police he became angry and struck her both with his fists and with the handgun.
Celestine turned off the victim’s vehicle on LA Hwy. 631 while it was still in gear, prompting her to leave the car and run for the Paradis library. She told police he chased her in his car but crashed it into a ditch, then followed her on foot.
She reached the library but found the doors locked.
Celestine then allegedly caught up to her and struck her several more times with his gun, also kicking her in the back.
She escaped when library employees responded to the commotion by opening the doors to let her enter.
Celestine fled the scene and was sought by police before being caught that afternoon in Kenner.
Once released, Celestine must attend substance abuse evaluation and follow any treatment recommended by the court to fulfill his probation terms.
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