Police blotter: Sexual assault and attempted robbery in Irish Channel, robbery in Central City, two shootings in Hoffman Triangle

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Two shootings in the Hoffman Triangle neighborhood, a robbery in Central City, and a sexual assault and attempted robbery in the Irish Channel were reported this week by the New Orleans Police Department. A woman in the Irish Channel fought back against a man who sexually assaulted and tried to rob her, according to the NOPD. The 40-year-old victim was assaulted in the 1000 block of Seventh Street on Thursday (March 16) at about 9:35 p.m., police said. The assailant then demanded her property but fled after she fought back. A man was robbed early on Thursday at Baronne Street and Washington Avenue.

crime

Police seek person-of-interest in attempted rape on Carrollton

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The NOPD is seeking to locate and identify a person-of-interest for questioning in an ongoing investigation of an attempted aggravated rape that occurred on Oct. 9 in the 1900 block of South Carrollton Avenue. NOPD Special Victims Section Sex Crimes Unit detectives have developed the man pictured above as a person-of-interest. He is not wanted on criminal charges at this time. However, detectives believe he may have information vital to the investigation and wish to question him.

crime

No-show defendant in 2019 rape case is a suspect in Carrollton area sexual assault

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The NOPD has obtained an arrest warrant for Edward Budd, 41, in the investigation of a sexual assault that occurred on May 14 in the 1000 block of Cambronne Street. The victim told police that Budd sexually assaulted her inside his home, adding that she did not consent to sexual activity. He is wanted on one count of third-degree rape in the case, the NOPD said. Budd, who police say may using the alias “Eddie Ortega,” is also awaiting trial in a 2019 first-degree rape case, Sheriff’s Office records show. He faces a mandatory life sentence if convicted.

crime

Police blotter: 7-year-old escapes kidnapping; gunman returns property he stole

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A 7-year-old girl escaped two assailants Friday evening in Hollygrove, the New Orleans Police Department reported. The child was outside in the 8900 block of Olive Street at about 6:20 p.m. on Friday when she was approached by two men in a vehicle. One man got out of the car, grabbed her and threatened to rape her. She escaped on foot, and the two men fled in the car. Armed robber changes bis mind
A 28-year-old woman was robbed at gunpoint by a teenager in the Freret neighborhood, according to the NOPD.

court

Couple charged in Leonidas rape case in custody

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From the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office

A New Orleans man and woman indicted last month on charges that they raped another woman inside a Leonidas neighborhood home in January 2019 surrendered to authorities in court this week and have been remanded into custody, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s Office announced Friday. Edward “Eddie” Budd, 39, and Echo Hurlburt, 26, appeared for arraignment before Criminal District Judge Laurie A. White. Each entered a plea of not guilty to a single count of first-degree rape, charges that were handed up Oct. 24 by an Orleans Parish grand jury. White ordered both defendants remanded into custody at the Orleans Justice Center jail.

crime

Couple indicted in rape inside Lenonidas home

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From the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office

A man and woman were charged Thursday with the rape of a woman they brought into a home in the Leonidas neighborhood in January, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office announced. Edward “Eddie” Budd, 39, and Echo Hurlburt, 26, each was charged with first-degree rape in the indictment handed up by an Orleans Parish grand jury. The charge is punishable by a mandatory lifetime prison sentence upon conviction. The former dating partners are accused of taking a 25-year-old woman out for drinks on her birthday, then back to Budd’s house for a non-consensual sexual encounter after the woman was incapacitated. The victim reported to New Orleans police that she lost memory and control of her faculties after apparently ingesting an unknown drug placed in her drink while celebrating at a New Orleans bar with Budd and Hurlburt.

crime

Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting stranger on Lower Garden District street

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A man pleaded guilty Monday to sexually assaulted a woman as she walked to a friend’s home in the Lower Garden District in December 2017, District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro’s office reported. Elvis Gavarette averted an upcoming trial for attempted second-degree rape by pleading guilty to two amended counts of sexual battery. Gavarette, 30, received a 10-year prison term and must register as a sex offender upon release, as part of the plea agreement approved by both his victim and Criminal District Judge Tracey Flemings-Davillier. The 25-year-old victim was walking to a friend’s home from a nearby bar when she was confronted by Gavarette in the 900 block of Race Street at 2:43 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2017.

crime

Suspect arrested in assault, attempted rape in university area, Audubon Park

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The New Orleans Police Department arrested Até Dumas, 30, in connection with two incidents that occurred Uptown near the universities. At about 7 a.m. on June 8, NOPD Second District officers and NOPD Special Victims Section Sex Crimes Unit detectives were notified of an attempted sexual assault that reportedly occurred at Audubon Park that morning. Through investigation, detectives learned that a female victim was leaving a restroom at the park earlier that morning when a man allegedly attempted to sexually assault her. The victim reportedly escaped and fled the area before contacting police. During the investigation, detectives learned that a suspect in an unrelated aggravated assault incident at Audubon and Green streets that same morning matched the description given by the victim in the June 8 sexual assault incident.