Pastor sentenced to two years for taping students’ mouths shut

SLIDELL, La. (WVUE) - A pastor in Slidell was sentenced to two years in prison and three years of probation for taping the mouths of three students shut while serving as headmaster of a Christian school.

John Raymond, formerly in charge of Lakeside Christian School in Slidell, was convicted of cruelty to juveniles after authorities said he disciplined the students for talking too much in class.

Police said he removed them from the classroom and used packing tape to silence them.

One student suffocated to the point where their body went limp, according to the district attorney.

Raymond, who has denied wrongdoing, remains free for now. If he posts a $100,000 bond, he can stay out of jail while appealing the conviction.

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