A Jefferson Parish judge on Thursday (June 12) sentenced Thomas Welty to 30 years in prison for his conviction of sexually abusing two teenaged girls, both of whom were given illegal narcotics so he could control them.
Welty, 46, a former Metairie resident, was convicted by a jury on May 27 of second-degree rape and trafficking children for sexual purposes involving one victim; and indecent behavior with a juvenile, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and sexual battery of the other victim.
Click here to read about the trial.
The crimes occurred between 2019 and 2021. Both victims were 15 years old when Welty began abusing them.
One of the victims, whose association with Welty lead to an addiction to methamphetamine and who was sexually abused not only by Welty but by two of his friends who have not been identified, provided a written victim-impact statement that was read aloud by Assistant District Attorney LaShanda Webb.
“I choose to forgive what you’ve done, but not for you,” the victim wrote. “I’m forgiving you for myself, because at the end of the day I need to heal – not you.
“I was so grateful to learn that every seven years, every cell in your entire body is being replaced,” she added. “And with that being said, how great is it to know that I will finally have a body you will have never touched.”
Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach of the 24th judicial District Court sentenced Welty to 30 years for second-degree rape, 30 years for trafficking children for sexual purposes, seven years for indecent behavior of juveniles, 10 years for contributing to the delinquency of juveniles and 10 years for sexual battery.
She ran the sentences concurrently. Additionally, she issued a stay-away order prohibiting any contact with the victims that is in effect for 100 years, and she ordered that he register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
After announcing the sentences, Judge Kovach addressed the two victims, telling them that they “testified extremely creditably,” and that their “bravery impressed the court.”
“I just wanted to say you’re both incredibly strong women,” Judge Kovach told them.
Assistant District Attorneys Erich Cathey and LaShanda Webb prosecuted the case.