MANSFIELD, La. – A DeSoto Parish man finds an end after 22 years of waiting for justice to be served. DeQuan Howard said he was sexually abused in his third grade class in 1997.
Howard said at the time he told his mother his substitute teacher was to blame. Following the incident, the surrogate was transferred to another school in DeSoto Parish. Despite the years that have passed, Howard has never given up hope for justice.
The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office began an investigation and Michael Gilbert was arrested and charged. Gilbert confessed and in December he was sentenced to 13 years.
Howard says: “There was a time when an endeavor I had never given up on and felt like moving forward, I said that whatever I had to do to end it could help someone. Future.
DeSoto County District Attorney Charles Adams told KTBS he regrets that the system did not resolve Howard’s condition immediately. Adams says he’s humbled and pleased the system finally worked. Adams said he hopes this helps Howard move forward and he’s glad they were able to get something right after all these years.
