Jefferson Parish juries returned with guilty verdicts this week in unrelated child sexual abuse cases.
Michael Pampas
On Thursday (May 21), Michael Pampas, 31, of Harvey, was convicted as charged of first-degree rape of a juvenile under age 13, indecent behavior with a juvenile under age 13 and production of pornography involving a child under age 13.
Pampas was 29 years old when he began communicating through Snapchat with a 12-year-old child he met during a swimming party at a Kenner apartment complex. Members of the victim’s family learned of Pampas’ lascivious overtures directed at the child and contacted the police in August 2024.
The Kenner Police Department and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigation that followed yielded evidence showing that Pampas also video recorded himself sexually abusing the child, and he recorded two additional video calls that were sexual in nature. He arranged for the child to travel to and from his residence through a ride-sharing service.
The video he recorded underlies the first-degree rape and production of child pornography charges. His sharing a separate video of himself masturbating is the basis for the indecent behavior charge.
When questioned by a detective, Pampas pointed blame at the victim. At trial, his attorney urged jurors to consider lesser charges, or “responsive verdicts,” telling them that first-degree rape carries a mandatory sentence of life in prison.
The prosecution promptly urged jurors to reject the defense request.
“What those responsive verdicts do is give him a break, a break he does not deserve,” Assistant District Attorney Erich Cathey told jurors Thursday in closing argument.
Judge Nancy Miller of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence Pampas on Wednesday (May 27).
Assistant District Attorneys Mallory Grefer and Erich Cathey prosecuted the case.
Charles P. Wilson Jr.
On Wednesday (May 20), Charles P. Wilson Jr., 60, of Harvey, was convicted as charged of molestation of a juvenile under age 13, pornography of a juvenile under age 13, pornography involving juveniles, obstruction of justice and molestation of a juvenile.
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office began its investigation in October 2023, after the mother reported finding sexually explicit photographs of her 13-year-old child in Wilson’s cell phone. The mother found more than 30 images of the child in various states of undress.
Detectives learned that, in addition to taking photographs, Wilson inappropriately touched the child numerous times with his hands and mouth while in his home in Harvey, beginning when the child was 12 years old and ending when the mother called 911.
Judge Shayna Beevers Morvant of the 24th Judicial District Court is scheduled to sentence Wilson on June 8.
Assistant District Attorneys Brendan Bowen and Jenny Voss prosecuted the case.