The trial of Steve Weir, former coach and educator at Riverdale Academy, ended on day three, with Weir asking for a plea deal. 

Weir pleaded guilty to:

• 9 counts of molestation of a Juvenile
• 1 count of Extortion
• 1 count of Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor
• 1 count of Cyberstalking.

He was sentenced to:

• 23 years on all 9 counts of Molestation
• 10 years on the Extortion
• 10 years on the Computer Aided Solicitation
• 1 year on Cyberstalking, all to be served concurrently for a total of 23 years, at hard labor, and with no early release. 

The abrupt end to a five-year prosecution effort for District Attorney Jones and the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office was a victory for the people of Red River Parish.

A former detective testified that over 5,500 text messages and 7,000 Yahoo Messenger interactions were identified between Weir and the victim, who was between 14 and 16 years of age at the time of the molestation. He stated that in the summer of 2019, the victim gave her statement. After corroborating her information, a warrant was obtained, and Weir was arrested in Kentucky and brought back to Red River Parish.  

Weir has remained incarcerated since 2019 and has retained several lawyers while awaiting trial. Weir, 67 years of age, will remain in the custody of the Louisiana Department of Corrections for the duration of his sentence.  

“Assistant Attorneys General Erica McLellan and Barry Milligan assisted the District Attorney’s Office with this prosecution, to ensure justice was served for the victim and the Coushatta community. We are pleased with the outcome and will continue to protect our people from those who prey on children,” said Attorney General Liz Murrill.

“The District Attorney’s Office appreciates the effort and hard work of the Attorney General’s Office in this case. Their assistance was invaluable and led to a just outcome for the victim and her family, and ensures protection for our community from such a predator in the future,” District Attorney Jones stated.

The Red River Parish Sheriff's Office also assisted with this investigation.

Our trial team for Weir, from left to right: LBI Agent Jeff Gilbert, Victim Advocate Shelly Fischer, Assistant Attorney General Erica McLellan, Assistant Attorney General Barry Milligan, and LBI Agent George Higgins