Convicted sex offender accused of first-degree rape arrested in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A 51-year-old man was arrested after being charged with first-degree rape and lewd conduct toward a juvenile.

On May 10, Christopher Francis was arrested by the Baton Rouge Police Department’s Special Victims Unit for his alleged connection to a July 2023 sexual assault incident.

Court documents say the legal guardian of a 12-year-old girl reported to officials in August 2023 that the child had been touched inappropriately.

Investigators interviewed the teen and learned that Francis had reportedly taken the teen to the bedroom of his home. She told investigators he started acting “really strange” and touching her leg. The victim also told investigators that Francis asked her to share his secrets with him in exchange for her. When sharing his dreams, the victim said Francis told her about his dream that they kissed, according to the affidavit.

In the affidavit, the victim told investigators that she tried to escape, but Francis reportedly continued to try to climb on top of her as she pushed him away. Investigators were told that Francis reportedly put his hands under the teen’s sweatshirt and attempted to touch her genitals before she pushed his hands away.

Francis is accused of forcing the teen to engage in inappropriate activities, the affidavit states. The victim stated that she left the room and ran to the bathroom to vomit. During a search of the victim’s phone, investigators found a message to a friend about the incident and saying, “He made me do things even when I pushed him away.”

According to the Louisiana State Police sex offender registry, investigators learned that Francis is a registered sex offender and was previously arrested for a sex offense with a minor.

Francis was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

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