Former pastor pleads not guilty to rape

AMITE – Former Pastor Louis David Lamonica of Hosanna Church in Ponchatoula pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges that he, along with other members of his church, raped three children under the age of 12.

Lamonica is the only one of the nine people arrested in connection with an alleged child-sex ring linked to the Ponchatoula church who appeared in 21st Judicial Court

Wednesday. Lamonica was present for a preliminary hearing and was arraigned while in court.

Prosecutor Don Wall told state District Judge Beth Wolfe during Wednesday’s proceedings that he is not seeking the death penalty for Lamonica. Prosecutors may seek the death penalty in aggravated rape cases of children under 13. Otherwise, someone convicted of the charge could receive life in prison.

Wall declined to say whether the state would seek the death penalty in the cases of six other defendants charged along with Lamonica.

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