Ai Express – District Attorney Collin Sims commended his team for their unwavering dedication as they secured guilty verdicts for four defendants in three distinct cases. The gravity of these convictions cannot be understated, as each defendant now faces potential life imprisonment.
Under the leadership of Collin Sims, a team of experienced prosecutors accomplished remarkable convictions in various criminal cases last week. These included a single-defendant rape case, a two-defendant rape case, and a second-degree murder case. The outcomes of these cases, announced on Friday, January 26, 2024, mark a significant victory for justice in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes.
Joshua May was found guilty of one count of first-degree rape and one count of aggravated crime against nature with a victim under the age of 13. Prosecutors Luke Lancaster and Casey Allen presented their case before Judge Ellen Creel. May faces life in jail without the option of parole, probation, or sentence suspension.
In a separate case, Brandy Seal and Derek Polk were found guilty of one count of first-degree rape against a juvenile under the age of thirteen. Iain Dover and Tiffany Dover handled the prosecution before Judge Tara Zeller, and both defendants face life in prison without release, probation, or sentence suspension.
Joseph Peoples, who was found guilty of second-degree murder in the case of Shawn Whiteside, is also facing additional charges including obstruction of justice, conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The trial was presented by experienced prosecutors Jay Adair and Hank Meyer in front of Judge Alan Zaunbrecher. Adair, with over two decades of prosecutorial experience, was joined by Meyer, who made his debut appearance as a prosecutor following a successful career in law enforcement with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Peoples has been sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, probation, or sentence suspension for the charge of second-degree murder.
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Sims praised the dedication of his team, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the District Attorney’s Office, which includes prosecutors, victim witness coordinators, and staff. Sims noted the hard work and commitment demonstrated by the entire office in serving the community. He expressed gratitude for the experienced and dedicated prosecutors within the office.
