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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2025
| Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office Secures Multiple Convictions in Brazen French Quarter Sexual Assault and Unrelated Domestic Violence Incident Involving Toddler | DNA Evidence, NOPD Surveillance, and Relentless Prosecution Deliver Justice for Survivors | |
NEW ORLEANS – Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams announced Monday, September 22, 2025, that prosecutors from the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) Unit secured guilty pleas, which resulted in convictions for multiple violent felonies and a 35-year sentence. On Friday, September 19th, Ernest Dixon pled guilty to a string of violent offenses, including a brazen armed sexual assault in the French Quarter and a separate domestic violence shooting that endangered a young child.
“This was one of the most shocking and disturbing assaults in recent memory, in broad daylight, in the heart of the French Quarter,” said DA Williams. “Because of the swift work of the New Orleans Police Department, the power of DNA evidence, and the determination of our prosecutors, we were able to hold Ernest Dixon accountable. Just as we’ve seen through past SAKI cases where DNA has spoken for survivors even decades later, here, DNA spoke immediately, and left no doubt about who committed this crime.”
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On May 20, 2024, Dixon entered the Maskarade store on St. Ann Street and, at gunpoint, forced the cashier to submit to sexual assault and robbery before fleeing with her cellphone.
Through Real Time Crime Camera (RTCC) footage and local business surveillance, NOPD tracked Dixon down within hours. Nurse Heidi Tujague at University Medical Center (UMC) conducted the forensic exam, and the Louisiana State Police (LSP) Crime Lab processed DNA evidence in real time, corroborating the victim’s account and identifying Dixon.
In a separate incident, less than one month earlier, Dixon made an unannounced visit to a former partner’s home, where he violently confronted the former partner and fired a handgun into her front door while she, their two-year-old child, and her boyfriend were inside. Clear signs of the damage from the discharge of the firearm where present on the door when police responded to the call.
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Dixon pled guilty to:
- Second-Degree Rape, Second-Degree Kidnapping, and Armed Robbery
- Felon in Possession of a Firearm
- Domestic Abuse Aggravated Assault with Child Present
- Negligent Discharge of a Firearm
All sentences will run concurrently, for a total of 35 years.
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At sentencing, the sexual assault survivor delivered a powerful statement in open court, describing the trauma of the attack “I put more thought into the way I dress and do my hair in the hope that I won’t be a target again for someone so evil.” She no longer enjoys many of the things that she used to enjoy and was robbed of her sense of security.
“I don’t feel like myself anymore,” the victim recounted. She grew up in the French Quarter, so when this occurred, her whole community knew she was the Victim of the brazen attack. There was no way to hide from the trauma, even from her grandmother.
Judge Holmes sentenced the Defendant to 35 years and granted a stay away order for the Victim for 35 years.
| | Teamwork that Delivered Justice | | |
This case was solved within two days thanks to extraordinary teamwork:
- NOPD: Lead Detective Brandon McDonald, Sgt. Claudia Bruce, Detectives Jessica Williams, Miosha Walker, Reuben Henry, Officer Tucker Guidry, Detective Sasha Winchester, and Jarmaine Williams
- Real Time Crime Camera (RTCC) and local businesses: Provided crucial surveillance of the Dixon’s movement
- UMC and LSP: Nurse Heidi Tujague collected the Sexual Assault Kit; LSP confirmed DNA in real time
- OPDA: Chief of SAKI ADA Mary Glass, ADA Meghan Falcon, Trial Assistant Kaitlyn Kite, Victim/Witness Advocate Vickie Landry, Investigator David Benelli; indictment secured by ADA Ian Kersting
Chief of SAKI Mary Glass said, “This case shows how dedicated NOPD, SAKI, UMC, LSP, and our local businesses are to solving and prosecuting sex crimes. I am so proud of our team, and I especially commend the survivor for her bravery.”
Assistant District Attorney Meghan Falcon added, “This case represents the very best of teamwork. The survivor’s courage in coming forward and seeing this case through inspires us all, and we are grateful for her trust.”
| | Relentless Accountability | | |
This conviction underscores OPDA’s commitment to harnessing both traditional police work and cutting-edge forensic science to bring violent offenders to justice.
- In recent years, OPDA’s Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) has produced convictions in cases once thought impossible, where DNA evidence revived investigations and held predators accountable.
- In this case, rapid DNA testing not only corroborated the victim’s account but helped secure a guilty verdict within months of the offense.
“These results don’t happen by chance,” said DA Williams. “They happen because NOPD investigators, forensic scientists, and OPDA prosecutors refuse to give up on victims. Together, we are changing the trajectory of public safety in New Orleans.”
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