By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

HAHNVILLE – A Boutte man who was wanted on kidnapping, rape and battery charges was taken into custody Tuesday by a federal task force working in Lafourche Parish, said authorities with the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office.

Michelle Joseph of the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office said that the U.S. Marshall’s Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended Lionel E. Raymond, 30, around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Thibodaux. Joseph said the task force used tips received from CrimeStoppers.

Raymond has been wanted since July 31, when he forced his way into his ex-wife’s Boutte home before allegedly physically and sexually assaulting her, according to a St. Charles arrest report.

The report says that at some point during the incident, the victim, whose name was not released, 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. He later dropped the children off with a mutual acquaintance and fled the scene.

Raymond was booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Facility in Hahnville on charges of aggravated rape, simple kidnapping, second-degree battery, and two attachments from the St. Charles Sheriff’s Office. His bond was not set as of press time.