The trial of Steve Weir, a former coach and educator at Riverdale Academy, concluded on its third day when Weir requested a plea deal. Weir pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including nine counts of molestation of a juvenile, one count of extortion, one count of computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and one count of cyberstalking.
He received sentences amounting to 23 years for the molestation charges, 10 years for extortion, 10 years for computer-aided solicitation, and one year for cyberstalking. All sentences will be served concurrently for a total duration of 23 years at hard labor without the possibility of early release.
This marks the end of a five-year prosecution effort led by District Attorney Jones and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. A former detective testified that over 5,500 text messages and 7,000 Yahoo Messenger interactions were exchanged between Weir and the victim. The victim was between 14 and 16 years old during the time of the offenses. Following her statement in the summer of 2019 and subsequent corroboration, Weir was arrested in Kentucky and extradited to Red River Parish.
Weir has been incarcerated since his arrest in 2019 while awaiting trial. Now aged 67, he will remain in custody under the Louisiana Department of Corrections for his sentence's entirety.
“Assistant Attorneys General Erica McLellan and Barry Milligan assisted the District Attorney’s Office with this prosecution to ensure justice was served for the victim and the Coushatta community. We are pleased with the outcome and will continue to protect our people from those who prey on children,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.
“The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the effort and hard work of the Attorney General’s Office in this case. Their assistance was invaluable and led to a just outcome for the victim and her family, ensuring protection for our community from such a predator in future,” stated District Attorney Jones.
The trial team included LBI Agent Jeff Gilbert, Victim Advocate Shelly Fischer, Assistant Attorney General Erica McLellan, Assistant Attorney General Barry Milligan, and LBI Agent George Higgins.