Thomas McCartney becomes one of first offenders sentenced under controversial new law as state cracks down on child predators
A serial paedophile has agreed to undergo both surgical and chemical castration as part of an unprecedented plea deal after being caught sexually assaulting a seven-year-old girl in Louisiana.
Thomas Allen McCartney, 37, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to attempted first-degree rape of a child under 13 and will serve 40 years in prison alongside the castration procedures. The Leesville resident is classified as a “Tier Three” sex offender and considered one of Louisiana’s most dangerous child predators.
His case is likely to be one of the first applications of Louisiana’s controversial new surgical castration law, which only came into effect on 1 August. The southern state is the first and only in America to allow judges to order surgical castration as punishment for sex crimes against children.
This is a horrific crime that never should have happened,” Vernon Parish District Attorney Terry Lambright told reporters. “Thomas McCartney is a predator that needs to be locked away from others in our community.”
Armed escape after mother catches assault
The latest charges stem from a February 2023 incident when a mother walked in on McCartney sexually abusing her seven-year-old daughter. Upon being discovered, McCartney used a firearm to escape the scene, prompting a multi-state manhunt.
He was eventually arrested in Houston, Texas, before being extradited back to Louisiana to face justice. The use of a weapon during his escape added to the severity of the charges against him.
As part of Tuesday’s plea agreement in Vernon Parish, McCartney consented to both forms of castration. Chemical castration involves pharmaceutical drugs to suppress testosterone production and reduce sex drive, whilst surgical castration is a permanent procedure involving the removal of the testicles.
Extensive criminal history of child abuse
McCartney’s criminal history reveals a disturbing pattern of child sexual abuse spanning nearly two decades. His previous convictions include:
- 2011: Convicted of attempted aggravated rape
- 2010: Arrested on two counts of aggravated rape of a 12-year-old child
- 2006: Arrested on one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile
Despite these multiple convictions, McCartney remained free to reoffend, ultimately leading to the 2023 assault that triggered his current sentence. His status as a Tier Three sex offender indicates he poses the highest risk of reoffending and is considered the most dangerous classification under Louisiana’s sex offender registry.
Louisiana’s groundbreaking castration law
Louisiana made international headlines when Governor Jeff Landry signed the surgical castration bill into law in June 2024. The legislation, which took effect on 1 August 2025, makes Louisiana the first US state to permit surgical castration as criminal punishment.
The law allows judges to order surgical castration for individuals convicted of certain aggravated sex crimes against children under 13, including rape, incest, and molestation. Prior to this, Louisiana had allowed chemical castration since 2008, though it was rarely implemented.
Democratic State Representative Delisha Boyd, who co-authored the bill, defended the harsh measure after critics called it “cruel and unusual punishment”. Boyd’s involvement stemmed from learning about a registered sex offender who had raped a five-year-old child.
“Some of the critics say, you know, that’s cruel and unusual punishment. Well, I disagree. I think the cruel and unusual punishment was the rape of that five-year-old,” Boyd stated.
Medical and legal controversies
The new law has sparked intense debate among legal experts, medical professionals, and human rights advocates. Critics argue the punishment violates constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment and question its effectiveness as a deterrent.
Gwyneth O’Neill, a New Orleans-based criminal defence attorney and member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, described the law as “absolutely unprecedented, and draconian and overkill.”
Medical experts have raised concerns about the procedure’s efficacy in preventing reoffending. Dr Maaike Helmus, an associate professor specialising in offender risk assessment, warned that the causes of sexual offending are far more complex than what castration can address.
“In our minds, it’s easy to link castration to the problem that they’re exhibiting and think that’ll fix it, but it’s taking a lot of leaps and logic that are not warranted,” Helmus explained.
Global context and human rights concerns
Louisiana joins only a handful of jurisdictions worldwide that permit surgical castration, including the Czech Republic, Madagascar, and a state in Nigeria. The practice has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organisations, including Amnesty International.
Several other US states allow chemical castration, including California, Florida, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin. However, Louisiana remains alone in authorising surgical procedures.
Under the law, offenders who refuse court-ordered surgical castration face an additional three to five years in prison. The legislation requires a medical expert to determine whether an offender is an appropriate candidate before the procedure can be carried out.
Prison population and costs
According to Louisiana’s Department of Public Safety and Corrections, approximately 2,224 people are currently incarcerated for sex crimes that could potentially be punishable with surgical castration under the new law. However, the legislation only applies to crimes committed on or after 1 August 2025.
The law is part of a broader “tough on crime” legislative package passed during a special session in February 2024. Other measures included expanding death penalty methods and effectively eliminating parole for certain offences.
Republican State Senator Valarie Hodges, a supporter of the legislation, described it as “a consequence” and “a step over and beyond just going to jail and getting out.”
Coercion and consent debates
Critics have raised serious concerns about the coercive nature of offering reduced sentences in exchange for castration. Sandy Rozek, communications director for the National Association for Rational Sexual Offense Laws, argued that such plea deals don’t represent genuine choice.
“If your choice is between 10 more years in prison and castration, that’s not really a choice. That’s coercion,” Rozek stated.
The controversial nature of McCartney’s plea deal highlights ongoing debates about punishment versus rehabilitation in the American criminal justice system. While supporters argue the harsh measure protects children, opponents worry about establishing dangerous precedents for bodily autonomy and human rights.
As one of the first cases under Louisiana’s new law, McCartney’s sentencing will likely face scrutiny from both advocates and opponents of surgical castration, potentially influencing how the controversial punishment is applied in future cases.
Follow for more updates on Britannia Daily
