Former Survivor Contestant John Raymond Declares Innocence in Felony Charges Case

John Raymond, a contestant from Survivor: Thailand, participated in the reality series in 2002, where he became the first cast member to be voted off the show. Since his appearance on the CBS series, Raymond has not participated in any further reality TV competitions.

Later, he established the Lakeside Christian Academy in Louisiana and took on the role of pastor for the church located in the same facility. However, Raymond is currently facing serious legal issues, including three felony charges and a second-degree child cruelty charge. According to a report by Nola News, his trial commenced on Tuesday, September 12, 2024, with his attorney, Joseph Long, representing him.

Allegations against Raymond include claims that he used tape to shut children’s mouths and restricted a child’s breathing until he fainted. In a statement to a WDSU 6 reporter, Raymond declared his innocence, emphasizing his affection for the students at his Christian school.

Raymond’s attorney, Long, contended that no children suffered harm from Raymond’s actions, which he characterized as merely “disciplinary.” Raymond asserted:

“I’ve never treated a child cruel [sic] in my life. I’m innocent of the charges against me, I love all of our students. We believe that the law will prevail, and we’ll be completely exonerated.”

John Raymond, former Survivor contestant, under scrutiny for child cruelty charges

In a report published by Nola News on September 17, 2024, Raymond voiced his concerns regarding “cancel culture,”claiming he is being unfairly targeted due to his religious convictions. He continues to deny any wrongdoing, while his attorney provides defense at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center in Covington. Long elaborated:

“People in the community know that he has spent his whole life trying to make this a better place. He didn’t wake up one day and decide to abuse children.”

Long further claimed that Raymond followed the Bible and incorporated “principles of Christian education”into the academy’s curriculum.

“Make no mistake, folks, this country is in the middle of a culture war. In Europe, parents can’t even physically discipline their children anymore. It’s coming. This is government overreach.”

Contrarily, Assistant District Attorney Christina Fisher challenged Long’s assertions, describing Raymond’s actions as “criminal”rather than justifiable. Fisher stated that no form of his actions could be deemed acceptable for maintaining discipline among students at Lakeside Christian Academy, saying:

“His actions weren’t justifiable. They were criminal. These are not acceptable forms of discipline in any way, shape or form.”

Fisher recounted two incidents involving a four-year-old child, describing one as follows:

“He put tape over their mouths and sent them back to class … where they sat, humiliated. The principal didn’t approve. Neither did the parents. His screaming was muffled. His kicking slowed. Finally, he stopped. He went limp.”

Raymond established Lakeside Christian Academy in 2016 and has also served as a pastor at the New Horizon Church. The allegations against him surfaced in 2022 when he was the headmaster at the school.

As of now, there have been no additional updates regarding the trial. The proceedings, which are expected to last a week, will likely include testimonies from parents, teachers, and a child specialist to address the allegations against Raymond.

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