Dist. Judge Glennon Everett found Guidry guilty in a bench trial, saying he found no reason to doubt the testimony of victim Ashlyn Baggett.
She told the court she was 16 at the time Guidry and she began a sexual relationship, one that started with, according to her, hugging and kissing and went further. Guidry was 31 at the time.
The initial incident occurred in July 2006, Baggett testified. She turned 17 in January 2007.
By the spring of 2007, rumors were rampant in the small Acadia Parish community regarding the relationship between the coach and the coed.
Testimony revealed that Ashlyn’s twin sister Caitlyn was “very suspicious” of what might be happening and confronted Guidry, though the date of that confrontation was not established.
Acadia Sheriff’s Dept. officials testified they heard the rumors.
Chief Criminal Deputy Keith Latiolais, who is from Iota, said he heard the rumors but did not talk to the Baggetts.
Det. Dennis Fruge did, and said the victim’s father and Iota girls’ basketball coach Stan told him he did not want an investigation of the allegations. Fruge said he did not talk to Ashlyn.
The same month, Guidry resigned from his position, as did two other coaches. The system declined comment at the time on their departures.
Guidry moved on, later coaching at Buna, Texas.
The twins had led their basketball team to consecutive high school state championships and moved on to McNeese State University, where they had stellar freshman seasons.
In March 2009, their father announced they were leaving the McNeese basketball program, but staying in school.
In October 2009 Ashlyn and her mother made an official complaint regarding Guidry to the Sheriff’s Office, which turned it over to the State Police.
Testimony indicated that prior to a meeting on Oct. 12, 2009, no law enforcement agency had any complaints pointing to a relationship between Guidry and Ashlyn while she was still a juvenile.
The State Police report served as the basis of the state’s case to the grand jury, which indicted Guidry.
His defense questioned whether anything happened between the two prior to the victim reaching the age of 17, noting there were plenty of instances for that issue to be raised before it finally came out in the October 2009 meeting.
Judge Everett said he heard nothing to contradict the victim’s testimony and that he believed it beyond a reasonable doubt.
He ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and will schedule sentencing at a later date. Meanwhile, Everett revoked Guidry’s bond and ordered him placed in the parish jail.
The twins returned to the McNeese baskeball program last fall and Ashlyn was named the Southland Conference’s womens basketball athlete of the year, anchoring the team that won the SLC title and made the school’s first trip to the womens NCAA post-season tournament.
Ashlyn led the team in scoring and Caitlyn was its assists per game leader.
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