Third suspect convicted in woman's disappearance

A jury unanimously found Asa Bentley guilty of the second-degree kidnapping of Jessica Guillot in 2013. The victim has not been reported seen since her disappearance.
“This is the third conviction in this case,” District Attorney Charles Riddle said. “We have two more to go. We’ve always felt like Asa was the leader of this group, so this brings some closure to the family.”
Bentley’s sentencing hearing will be on Feb. 24. Second-degree kidnapping carries a sentence of up to 40 years in prison.
Tamika Williams -- the state’s main witness against the other four -- was allowed to plead guilty to obstruction of justice and received a 10-year sentence which will be commuted to time served in exchange for her testimony against the other four.
Chadwick McGhee was convicted of simple kidnapping in July 2014. and received a life sentence as a multiple-offender. All three convicts and the victim are from Simmesport. The remaining suspects are Donnie Edwards of Lettsworth and Willie Price, Jr. of Baton Rouge, who are both facing second-degree kidnapping charges.
Guillot, 21, was last seen at 8:30 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2013, as she left home on foot. Simmesport Police began the investigation when they were contacted on Sept. 11. Avoyelles Sheriff’s Office entered the case on Sept. 14 and took over the investigation on Oct. 9. On Oct. 10, five people were arrested and charged with aggravated kidnapping. A Grand Jury amended the charge on all five to second-degree kidnapping.
Williams and three other witnesses testified that Bentley was looking for Guillot, claiming she had stolen cocaine from him. “Anyone who listened to the trial and listened to the closing statement would know it isn’t just Tamika,” Riddle said. “She was very consistent with her testimony and will continue to be.”
Defense attorney William Whatley disagreed with Riddle’s assessment of the witness.
“I don't believe that the chief state witness (Williams) was as good as the jury apparently thought,” Whatley said. If Guillot’s body is ever found, Riddle said his office will review the case to determine if new charges should be filed.