Man was arrested on charges of raping a young girl, and a woman is accused of knowing about it
A man was arrested on charges of raping a young girl, and a woman is accused of knowing about the crime and not reporting it.
On December 5, 2025, an investigation began when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office Special Victims Unit detectives were sent to a local elementary school in Lake Charles, Louisiana after a student reported to school personnel that she had been sexually abused.
During the investigation, detectives were advised the victim disclosed to school staff that 34-year-old Gerson A. Espinal touched her inappropriately on several occasions. The victim also disclosed Espinal raped her. It was also discovered the victim reported the sexual assault to a family member, 32-year-old Carla M. Artiaga, who failed to report the allegations to law enforcement.
After further investigation, Espinal and Artiaga were both arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.
Espinal is charged with 1st degree rape and sexual battery of a victim under the age of 13. His bond is $500,000.
Artiaga is charged with failure to report certain felonies. Her bond is $100,000.
Both are held on immigration detainers by the Department of Homeland Security.
