Slavery is alive and well in Natchitoches Parish

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NPSO received a report Saturday night from a Robeline assistant town marshal that he had come in contact with a female who had a logging chain wrapped around her near the intersection of Interstate 49 and Louisiana 6 West near Natchitoches.

After the chain was removed and the victim treated for numerous lacerations and bruises, she was placed in protective custody. She told investigators she had been able to free herself after being held captive, took one of the suspects’ vehicles and drove to Natchitoches.

As investigators built the case, they formed a grim picture of what allegedly happened.

The victim, an out-of-state resident, met Rodriguez and Harper online and agreed to voluntarily move into their home several months ago. While living with the couple, Rodriguez made the victim turn over all cash and relinquish ownership of a 1999 Harley Davidson motorcycle to him. Soon afterward, the victim was tattooed by Rodriguez and registered as a slave on a website.

The victim was given a list of daily chores to complete, which included serving meals, taking care of animals, leveling dirt, installing a swimming pool, digging trenches, removing fallen trees and performing sexual acts.

She was subject to mistreatment by Rodriguez, Harper, and a third person identified as Lomas, including beatings, carving initials into her body, being shocked with a Taser and having urine thrown on her. She was kept chained, sometimes outside, fed once a day and given limited water and urine to drink.

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