Arabi man sentenced to life in prison, plus 62 years, after conviction for aggravated rape of one juvenile boy and molestation of another; Was first major felony trial for new District Attorney Perry Nicosia

An Arabi man has been sentenced to life in prison, plus 62 years, after convictions of aggravated rape of a 10-year-old boy and molestation of a second boy in the first significant felony trial since new St. Bernard Parish District Attorney Perry Nicosia took office in November.

David Merwin, 34, was found guilty by a jury of aggravated rape of a juvenile, molestation of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile on March 27. Nicosia said.

The rape charge carried a mandatory sentence of life in prison, which District Judge Jeanne Nunez Juneau handed down to Merwin on April 10, plus 50 years on the molestation conviction and 12 more on a third conviction for indecent behavior with a juvenile.

The sentences are to be served consecutively.

Besides the rape of the 10-year-old, Merwin molested and engaged in indecent behavior with that boy’s brother, who was 7 years old.

The crimes occurred in August 2013 and Merwin was arrested by the Sheriff’s Office that November after the 10-year-old wrote a letter to his mother telling her what happened.

Nicosia, a former district judge, was elected district attorney in November on a platform that pledged he would have more jury trials in the parish and not be lenient with plea agreements. Nicosia said the last major jury trial in St. Bernard had occurred in early 2013.

He said there have been several smaller felony trials since he took office but the Merwin case is the first major one.

Nicosia said trials “will be the normal course for our office. We will have a zero tolerance policy for sexual predators and violent criminals.”