New Orleans Ordered to Pay $1 Million for Police Assault

A federal jury has ordered the city of New Orleans to pay $1 million to a teenage girl who was groomed and raped by former police officer Rodney Vicknair, who had a history of sexual misconduct. Vicknair was assigned to assist the girl after she reported being raped by another man in 2020, but he exploited the situation to abuse her multiple times. The lawsuit claimed the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) was 'deliberately indifferent' in allowing Vicknair to operate without proper oversight, particularly after receiving warnings about his behavior. Vicknair, who was sentenced to 14 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges for violating the girl's civil rights, died in custody earlier this year. The trial revealed that NOPD officials, including former superintendent Shaun Ferguson, failed to act on credible reports of Vicknair's predatory behavior. The testimony from the victim highlighted the severe emotional trauma and lasting impact of the abuse she suffered at the hands of someone meant to protect her.