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NEW ORLEANS – U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Gene Murray, age 49, was sentenced on December 14, 2022 for failing to register as a sex offender under the federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) 18 U.S.C. § 2250(b).

United States District Judge Jane Triche Millazo imposed a sentence of 24 months imprisonment.  Following his term of imprisonment, Murray will be placed on supervised release for a period of three years. Murray  must also pay a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.  A fine was not imposed.

U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the United States Marshals Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Spiro G. Latsis and Rachal Cassagne are in charge of the prosecution.

Murray, 49, of Reserve was previously arrested on child sexual abuse charges and on a contempt of court bench warrant for failing to appear in court after fleeing the country.

On March 17, 2022, Murray Sr. was arrested for rape and sexual battery involving a juvenile following an investigation. In early March, juvenile detectives received a complaint of allegations of child sexual abuse. During the course of the investigation, detectives obtained evidence that Murray Sr., a convicted felon, had engaged in sexual contact with a juvenile. Following the investigation, detectives obtained a warrant for Murray Sr.’s arrest. During the execution of the warrant to search his residence, officers located two firearms.

Through further investigation, detectives learned Murray Sr. has been a twice-convicted registered sex offender for sexual assault of female juveniles, ages 6-13, and other felonious crimes including two previous arrests for escape and aggravated battery with a firearm. He is on active sex offender registration in St. John Parish.

Murray Sr. was charged with first degree rape, third degree rape, oral sexual battery as well as possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was held in custody in lieu of a $75,000 bond. Murray Sr. posted bond and was released March 20, 2022.

On March 29, 2022, Murray Sr. failed to appear in court. A bench warrant with an increased bond including an order for Murray Sr. to be held until his initial court appearance without posting bond was issued.

Thirty-four days after the bench warrant was issued, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Murray Sr. was located at a hotel in Progresso, Mexico and arrested. Murray Sr. was transported by Mexican authorities to the border where he was handed over to the Texas U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force.

Following Murray Sr.’s extradition court proceedings in Texas, Murray Sr. was transported to St. John Parish by officers with the St. John Sheriff’s Office on May 25, 2022.