By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – Authorities in St. Charles are on the lookout for a Raceland man who allegedly assaulted his ex-wife and kidnapped her three children, said a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said 30-year-old Lionel E. “Loc” Raymond is accused of forcing his way into his ex-wife’s Boutte home, where he proceeded to get into an altercation with the woman whose name was withheld.

According to a report from the sheriff’s office, Raymond allegedly proceeded to punch the woman repeatedly in the face, in addition to other parts of her body, before sexually assaulting her. Raymond also made various threats toward her.

LaGrange said that at some point during the incident, the victim was able to persuade Raymond to drive her and her two kids to her place of employment in Harahan. From there, Raymond forced his victim out of the car and proceeded to drive off with the woman’s children still in the vehicle.

LaGrange said Raymond then drove back to Raceland and dropped the children, ages 4 and 10, at the home of a family friend. The children were later reunited with their mother through cooperation and contact with the Sheriff’s Office.

Upon his capture and arrest, Raymond will face charges of rape, first-degree battery and kidnapping. He is also looking at kidnapping charges in Harahan, where the children were abducted.

Anyone with any information on Raymond’s whereabouts should contact the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office at 985-783-6807, or Crimestoppers at 1-877-903-7867.