Shreveport Man Found Guilty of Multiple Sex Crimes

A Shreveport man was convicted in Caddo Court yesterday of multiple sex crimes against two juvenile females.

Over the course of the trial, prosecutors called eight witnesses to prove that 34 year-old Daniel Scott Havis repeatedly raped and sexually abused the minor daughter of a woman he knew from 2020-2022. The minor told a local youth minister about the abuse who made a police report and notified the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services.

The DCFS investigation revealed both the mother's neglect and Havis's abuse. Havis also propositioned and groped another minor who was visiting the home. For this, he was charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Both victims were interviewed at the Gingerbread House and those interviews were played for the jury in addition to their testimony. Defense attorneys argued that the victims were not believable and the jury should acquit. The jury rejected the argument.

The jury deliberated almost two hours before returning its unanimous guilty-as-charged verdicts against Havis, on four counts of sexual abuse: third-degree rape, sexual battery of a person under age 15, sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

From the Caddo DA:

"Havis will return to Judge Hathaway's court for sentencing November 18, 2025. For the third-degree rape conviction, Havis faces up 25 years in prison. The two counts of sexual battery each carry a penalty range of up to 10 years and the indecent behavior with a juvenile conviction carries a penalty of up to seven years.

Assistant District Attorneys Jason Waltman and Chase Burgess prosecuted the case. Hilary Hileman and Harry Johnson defended Havis.

The case was docket No. 399872."