An ICE officer sexually abused a detainee at a Louisiana detention facility, according to federal court records. A former ICE detention officer in Louisiana has pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a woman held in federal custody, confirming months of misconduct inside an immigration detention facility where he was supposed to ensure safety and oversight.
David Courvelle, 56, admitted in federal court that he repeatedly sexually abused a Nicaraguan woman detained at the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center while he was employed there. The abuse occurred over several months while the woman was under his direct supervision, placing her in a position where consent was legally impossible.
Prosecutors stated that Courvelle used his authority to gain access to the woman and violated facility rules by bringing her food, letters, and personal items, including photographs of her daughter. Investigators also detailed how Courvelle arranged for others to act as lookouts while the abuse took place, including incidents inside a janitorial closet within the facility.
After staff members observed Courvelle leaving a restricted area with the detainee, an internal investigation was launched. During questioning, Courvelle initially denied the allegations before later confessing to the sexual abuse during an interview with federal investigators.
Courvelle was released on a $10,000 bond and now faces sentencing on April 10. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and a potential fine of up to $250,000.
