Washington Parish, Louisiana – The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man for the alleged rape of children.
In a press release, WPSO said that Preston James Downs of Angie was arrested on four counts of 1st Degree Rape – Vaginal, two counts of Sexual Battery – Victim Under 13 Years Old, two counts of Crimes Against Nature – Aggravated Incest, two counts of Indecent Behaviors with Juveniles, and one count of Trafficking of Children for Sexual purposes.
Around 2 p.m. on April 13, 2025, WPSO deputy sheriffs responded to a residence in Angie in reference to sexual crimes that occurred more than a decade before.
Once deputies reached the scene, they took statements from two female victims, who are now 23 and 26.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, the victims said they had been sexually assaulted by Downs on multiple occasions when they were children.
Downs allegedly acknowledged he knew why deputies were there to arrest him. Authorities say he gave voluntary statements referencing the aforementioned crimes.
WPSO says the victims and family members believe Downs may have assaulted other victims during this time.
Downs is being held in the Washington Parish Jail on a $750,000 bond.
Jay Skelton is an independent crime journalist with a passion for covering the uncovered and the under covered.