Franklinton, La. — A Washington Parish jury found 56-year-old Shannon Polkey guilty on May 22, 2025, after deliberations lasting just over an hour. Polkey was convicted on multiple counts, including two instances of first-degree rape involving children under 13, one count of sexual battery against a child under 13, and failing to register as a sex offender.
The trial unfolded over four days, with Judge William H. Burris presiding. Assistant District Attorneys Zachary Popovich and Casey Allen, representing the Special Victims Unit, led the prosecution. Capt. Corbet Hunt of the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office served as the lead detective, with significant contributions from Special Victims Unit Investigator Anna Thomas during the investigation and trial.
Testimonies revealed harrowing details about the abuse suffered by two siblings—a brother and sister—who had left their mother’s care in Pike County, Mississippi, after she lost her home in the summer of 2019. The children spent nearly three years living with Polkey and his family, during which they reportedly faced both physical and emotional abuse. They shared graphic accounts of being struck and coerced into painful and humiliating positions as punishment.
On the stand, the male victim recounted chilling instances of sexual abuse. He described how Polkey forced him to perform sexual acts when other adults were not present, using threats to ensure his silence. His younger sister corroborated these accounts, indicating they were also victims of abuse together. Their testimonies painted a picture of prolonged trauma and fear.
During the trial, the jury heard from a guidance counselor who recounted a crucial meeting with the male victim in April 2022, during which he finally disclosed the abuse. Prompted by this revelation, the counselor alerted the Department of Children and Family Services, leading to a law enforcement investigation.
The jury reviewed recorded forensic interviews that illustrated the children’s first discussions about the abuse. An expert witness, a forensic nurse practitioner from New Orleans, explained how such long-term trauma can affect a child’s mental processing and coping mechanisms.
The court also heard about Polkey’s prior conviction for forcible rape of a juvenile in Washington Parish from 1987, for which he received a 15-year sentence and was mandated to register as a sex offender for life. An adult victim from that case testified about the lasting impact of the defendant’s actions nearly 40 years ago.
Evidence submitted during the trial indicated that Polkey had moved to Franklinton but failed to register his address with law enforcement, despite being listed as a sex offender in Mississippi. Detective Hunt discovered that the location on the defendant’s registration in Mississippi was a dilapidated, uninhabitable trailer, showcasing Polkey’s efforts to hide his actual residence.
Following the verdict, Judge Burris ordered Polkey to remain in custody until sentencing, scheduled for July 21, 2025. Given the severity of the crimes, first-degree rape carries a mandatory life sentence, while sexual battery can result in 25 to 99 years in prison. The charge of failing to register could add an additional two to ten years.
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