In court in Franklinton, Sean Douglas Burns, age 32, of Folsom, plead guilty today (Wednesday)after a jury had been selected and sworn in. He plead guilty to third degree rape and aggravated burglary and was sentenced by District Judge Ellen Creel to 15 years in prison on each count.
Two months prior to this offense, Burns had been released from jail on a domestic abuse battery charge and was being helped by family members who had given him a job and a place to stay. On August 16, 2022 at 2:30 a.m., he broke into a Washington Parish home and raped a 40-year-old victim, who had been inside the residence sleeping. The victim was able to get away from Burns and called her mother for help. Burns fled the scene and checked himself into a behavioral health hospital. The victim reported the incident to Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office a week after the rape.
The victim was present in the courtroom for the plea. She told the court that she was satisfied with the terms of the plea. The victim’s mother was also present and gave a victim impact statement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Luke Lancaster and Iain Dover.
