The trial of Steve Weir, a former coach and educator at Riverdale Academy, concluded on its third day when Weir opted for a plea deal. He admitted guilt 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.
Weir received a 23-year sentence for the molestation charges. Additionally, he was sentenced to 10 years each for extortion and computer-aided solicitation, and one year for cyberstalking. All sentences will be served concurrently for a total of 23 years at hard labor without the possibility of early release.
This outcome marked the end of a five-year prosecution effort by District Attorney Jones and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office. The case was seen as significant for Red River Parish residents.
A former detective testified that more than 5,500 text messages and 7,000 Yahoo Messenger interactions were found between Weir and the victim, who was aged between 14 and 16 during the time of the offenses. In summer 2019, after the victim provided her statement corroborated by evidence, authorities arrested Weir in Kentucky and extradited him to Red River Parish.
Since his arrest in 2019, Weir has been incarcerated while awaiting trial. At age 67, he will remain under the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections throughout his sentence.
“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,” stated 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,” said District Attorney Jones.