A Caddo Parish jury found a Shreveport man guilty June 10 of indecent behavior with a juvenile following a two-day trial in Caddo District Court.
The five-woman, one-man jury deliberated for slightly more than an hour before convicting Demon Smith, 38, in the courtroom of District Judge Ramona Emanuel.
According to evidence presented at trial, Smith sent lewd text messages to a 16-year-old girl in December 2023 and later arranged to meet her near midnight. Prosecutors said the girl’s father had obtained her phone and was waiting when Smith arrived at the agreed-upon location.
The father detained Smith until officers with the Shreveport Police Department arrived.
Jurors heard testimony from the victim, her father, an advocate from the Gingerbread House, and two Shreveport police officers before returning the guilty verdict.
Smith is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on July 15. Under Louisiana law, he faces a sentence of up to seven years in prison, with or without hard labor, and a possible fine of up to $5,000.
If sentenced and released, Smith will also be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
The case was prosecuted by Fernando Grider Jr. and Stephen Folk-Cruthirds. Smith was represented by defense attorneys Dave Knadler and Royal Alexander.