On September 10, 2018, the last three defendants involved in the kidnapping and beating of a local man pled guilty to their involvement. These guilty pleas were the result of plea agreements with prosecutors just days before their scheduled trial date. Assistant District Attorney Shawn Bush was the lead prosecutor on this case, with the Honorable Judge Thomas Kliebert presiding.
David Gonday, 43464 Norwood Rd. Prairieville, LA., age 35, pled guilty to Attempted 1st Degree Murder and 2nd Degree Robbery.
Richard Allen of 6100 Panama Rd. Sorrento, LA., age 55, pled guilty to 2nd Degree Robbery and 2nd Degree Battery.
Heather Firmin of 42361 Moody Dixon Rd. Prairieville, LA., age 41, pled guilty to Principle to 2nd Degree Battery.
Previously on August 27, 2018, Dustin Eddy of 601 Bourg St. Donaldsonville, LA., age 37, pled guilty to Attempted 2nd Degree Murder and 2nd Degree Robbery.
On June 11, 2017, patrol deputies with the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office located an abandoned vehicle in a grassy area along the LA 70 service road in Convent. While inspecting the vehicle, deputies heard moaning sounds from the trunk of the vehicle. Deputies were able to open the trunk and observed a male subject inside who appeared to have been brutally beaten. The male subject was transported to a local hospital where he received extensive treatment and remained in critical condition. Detectives with both the St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office and Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office initiated a joint investigation as the victim was a resident of Ascension Parish and the vehicle was located in close proximity of the parish line. During the course of an extensive investigation by both departments, detectives learned that the victim had been lured by Heather Firmin to a Sorrento residence where he was robbed of his belongings and severely beaten by David Gonday, Richard Allen, and Dustin Eddy. Following the beating, the victim was stuffed in the trunk of his own car and driven to St. James Parish where the car was abandoned. All parties were subsequently arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Detention Center.
Upon entering guilty pleas to the above mentioned charges pursuant to the plea agreements with prosecutors, the defendants were sentenced as follows:
David Gonday was sentenced to 15 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Dustin Eddy was sentenced to 13 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Heather Firmin was sentenced to 6 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served.
Formal sentencing for Richard Allen is tentatively set for October 9th.