TERRYTOWN (LA)
WGNO [New Orleans LA]
May 8, 2026
By Alana Thompson
A Jefferson Parish jury found a Terrytown pastor guilty of sexual abusing two teenagers, District Attorney Paul Connick Jr. announced.
In less than an hour on Wednesday, May 6, 66-year-old Terry Reed was found guilty as charged of two counts of third-degree rape and two counts of molestation of a juvenile.
According to court documents, Reed ministered from his residence on North Marlin Court and was said to mentor the victims who had troubled home lives.
Reed allowed the teens to move in with him and “used bible verses and scripture to manipulate, normalize and justify” his sexual behavior toward them, court documents reported.
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“He is the worst kind of predator in this community that we can have,” Assistant District Attorney Eric Cusimano said.
Prior to Reed’s arrest for these crimes, he was already a convicted sex offender. Court documents stated he pled guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile in 1997 and again in 2017 to molestation of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, where he received probation in both cases.
In addition to the prior cases, Reed was reported to have sexually abused a 16-year-old, who had a troubled relationship with his mother, during April or May 2021. During this time, the victim later moved into Reed’s home, where the abuse ensued for approximately three years.
When the victim was 19, he disclosed the abuse, which led to Reed’s arrest in 2023.
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When he learned of Reed’s arrest, a 29-year-old man reported that he was also sexually abused at the hands of Reed back in 2011 when he was 16.
The victim said Reed sexually abused him until he was 21 years old. Court documents said Reed was charged with two counts of molestation of a juvenile for abuse that occurred before this victim was 17 years old.
“He deserves to be accountable for what he has been doing for over 30 years,” Assistant District Attorney James Wascom said.