Warning: This article contains discussion of child sexual abuse which some readers may find distressing.
A sex offender has been sentenced to both physical and chemical castration after he attempted to rape a child. Thomas Allen McCartney was arrested in Louisiana in 2023 after authorities discovered him engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with a minor. Facing charges for attempted first-degree rape, McCartney accepted a plea deal.
He admitted guilt to trying to rape a child under 13, specifically a seven-year-old girl. This led to the uncovering of his past offenses involving children. Previously, McCartney was convicted of aggravated rape in 2011 and had been arrested in 2006 and 2010 for sexual abuse charges involving minors.
As part of his plea deal, McCartney will undergo castration and serve a 40-year prison sentence.
The Vernon Parish district attorney stated: “This is a horrific crime that never should have happened. Thomas McCartney is a predator that needs to be locked away from others in our community.”
Recently, Louisiana became the pioneer state in implementing surgical castration for sex crimes against minors. This procedure involves the removal of reproductive organs, halting hormone production.
Other states have adopted methods using pharmaceutical drugs to reduce an offender’s sexual drive as well.
The law, signed by Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, permits judges to mandate the surgery for certain convicted individuals.
The legislation largely targets those guilty of severe sex offenses, such as rape, incest, or child rape under 13, leaving the decision to the judge’s discretion.
The surgical procedure is performed by a physician, and a court-appointed medical expert assesses whether the offender should proceed. Offenders can refuse the procedure but will face extended imprisonment without parole.
The judge’s decision on the surgery does not apply to individuals under 17.
The bill, introduced by Louisiana Democratic state Rep. Delisha Boyd, has faced criticism from those who believe the surgery is imposed on prisoners without choice.
Boyd stated, “Some of the critics say, you know, that’s cruel and unusual punishment. Well, I disagree. I think the cruel and usual punishment was the rape of that 5-year-old,” according to NPR.
Despite the severity of the measure, Boyd views it as a deterrent to child harm. “These predators have to be stopped,” she remarked. “Even if just one rapist changes his mind about raping a child, I will take that.”
Nonetheless, many oppose the punishment. Gwyneth O’Neill, a criminal defense attorney from New Orleans and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, described it as ‘cruel’ and potentially unconstitutional.
O’Neill commented: “Surgical castration is generally considered, or was considered, to be sort of like the paradigmatic example of cruel and unusual punishment, because it’s a form of physical mutilation. It’s barbaric.”
If you need support or someone to talk to regarding child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)) is available 24/7, serving the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.