New Orleans finds itself on the hook for $1 million in damages to a teenager who suffered sexual assault at the hands of a city police officer notorious for misconduct. The chilling verdict came Wednesday following a three-day trial. It stems from a 2021 lawsuit in which the victim and her family painted a grim picture of law enforcement negligence and systemic failure.
The officer, Rodney Vicknair, was already marred by numerous complaints, many highlighting his predatory behavior towards women. Despite this glaring red flag, he was assigned to transport the young victim to a hospital, a choice that would have dire consequences. Vicknair manipulated his way into the girl’s life under the guise of friendship and mentorship, only to betray that trust in the most heinous way.
Court records revealed that Vicknair, who had been a police officer since 2007, used his position to exploit and abuse the teenager. He was later convicted in a related criminal case and sentenced to 14 years in federal prison. Tragically, Vicknair passed away on January 1 of this year, leaving behind a trail of devastation.
Initially, Vicknair faced state charges, including sexual battery, but ultimately pleaded guilty in federal court to depriving the victim of her rights under the color of law. Prosecutors detailed a horrifying narrative of how Vicknair, while supposedly helping the victim in 2020, began grooming her. He visited her home without warning, made sexually suggestive remarks, and manipulated her into sending him explicit photos, which he stored on his phone. The abuse began when she was just 14 and continued into the following year.
The lawsuit criticized the police department for its reckless decision to assign Vicknair to the victim’s case despite his known history and for its sluggish response to complaints about his conduct. These failures allowed the officer to continue his abuse unabated until his eventual arrest. Included in the suit was Shaun Ferguson, the now-retired superintendent, held accountable for the department’s oversight.
In a damning revelation, the lawsuit exposed that Vicknair continued his assaults even after a report about his behavior had been filed, underscoring the grave lapse in immediate action by the police department.
When asked for a reaction to the verdict, the city’s lawyer offered no comment on Wednesday, leaving the victim and her family to cope with the delayed justice that now holds New Orleans accountable for a grievous breach of trust and duty.
