By JIM BUTLER
Two Alexandria men charged in separate holiday season rape cases are being held under $1 million-plus bail settings, facing the possibility of life sentences.
Quenten Austin, 32, was jailed Christmas Day on charges of first-degree rape and battery 2nd degree. Bail is $1,050,000.
Walter Crooks, 29, arrested December 27 for the fourth time this year and second this month, is facing first-degree rape, felony fugitive, violation of protective order, domestic abuse strangulation and battery aggravated 2nd degree charges. Bail is $1,300,000.
Crooks was booked December 4 for alleged domestic abuse battery and contempt of court, posting $15,500 bond.
In August this year he was charged with four counts of protective order violation, two counts stalking, interfering with emergency communication and contempt. He posted $62,000 bond a month later.
Back in January he was charged with contraband in a penal facility and possession of paraphernalia as well as contempt, posting $18,000 bond a week later.
Records show he was arrested in July 2024 on charges of aggravated assault domestic abuse, aggravated domestic abuse battery strangulation and contempt. Bail was set at $19,500.
A first-degree rape conviction in Louisiana requires a mandatory life sentence, no pardon, parole or suspension of sentence.
The third man arrested on a rape charge is Roger Dale Bennett II, 49, of Deville. He was booked December 28. Bond is set at $100,500.
He is charged with 2nd-degree rape, false imprisonment and contempt non-support payment.
Second-degree rape carries a sentence of five to 40 years in Louisiana.
First-degree rape is defined as involving a victim under 13 or elderly, use of force or a weapon during the crime or occurring during a robbery.
Second-degree, also known as as forcible rape, is defined as occurring without lawful consent under specific circumstances, even without force or violence – threats or force, incapacitated victim without knowledge, victim between 13 & 17, age difference three years or more.
Booking records do not indicate circumstances regarding either of the three cases.