Evangeline Parish Grand Jury returned two true bills Wednesday, May 6. Bills were returned against Aaron Wayne Mitchell and Eric Pleasant, according to District Attorney Brent Coreil.

Mitchell, 44, 2829 Old Highway 13, Mamou, was charged with the crime of aggravated rape, oral sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile. The offenses occurred between March 1, 2007, and November 30, 2007, with a victim under the age of 13 years. Bond for Mitchell was set at $500,000 by Judge Tom Fuselier. His arraignment has been scheduled for June 5. Mitchell is presently incarcerated in the Evangeline Parish Jail.

If the district attorney’s office seeks a capitol verdict, Mitchell is facing punishment by death or life imprisonment at hard labor without benefit of parole, probation or suspension of sentence on the charge of aggravated rape.

The charge of oral sexual battery carries a sentence of punishment at hard labor for not less than 25 years nor more than life imprisonment. The charge of indecent behavior with a juvenile, when the victim is under the age of 13, and the offender is 17 years of age or older, shall be punished by imprisonment at hard labor for not less than two nor more than 25 years.

The United States Supreme Court is presently considering whether the death penalty for aggravated rape under these circumstances is constitutional.

In a separate matter, the grand jury charged Pleasant, 24, 1390 Dossman Lake Road, Ville Platte, with second-degree battery for an offense that occurred December 8, 2007. Judge Tom Fuselier set Pleasant’s bond at $10,000 and the arraignment is set for June 10, at 9 a.m.

If convicted, Pleasant is facing a fine of not more than $2,000 for imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than five years or both.