A former Spirit Lake resident has been sentenced in Louisiana on rape and molestation charges.
Choi Van Leo, 60, of Spirit Lake, was sentenced to three life sentences without parole, probation, or suspension of sentence on three charges of aggravated rape, as well as 15 years in prison at hard labor on each of four counts of molesting a juvenile. Each count must be carried out in sequence.
According to authorities, Leo raped and assaulted seven children between 1992 and August 28, 2000, with ages ranging from four to twelve. On September 15, 2000, law enforcement filed an arrest warrant for counts of aggravated rape, aggravated oral sexual battery, and aggravated sexual battery. Leo learned of the arrest warrant before law enforcement could apprehend him, so he fled the state and hid for nearly 24 years. Leo was finally apprehended in Spirit Lake on May 24, 2024, after the District Attorney’s office in Calcasieu Parish received information about his likely whereabouts from a source.
At the time of his imprisonment, Leo owned the Asian Palace Restaurant in Spirit Lake.