Defendant Dennis Ray Caruso Jr

Livingston- On January 19, 2012, Dennis Ray Caruso, Jr., 24, of Baton Rouge, LA, was sentenced to 18 years at hard labor for Home Invasion, according to District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux.

Assistant District Attorney David Guidry prosecuted the case, and Judge Robert Morrison handed down the sentence.

On January 17, 2011, Caruso, entered the home of a Livingston resident on Henry O’Neil Dr. The defendant mistakenly believed a woman within the residence was in possession of prescription drugs.

When he realized she had none, the defendant violently beat the victim on the head and arms, using a billy club like weapon, breaking her arm. Caruso then stole what money she had and fled.

The victim was able to reach her neighbor’s home and call the police. Although the woman did not know the defendant, through police investigation, detectives from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office identified Caruso as a suspect. The victim then positively identified him in a photo line-up.

Caruso, of 10917 Malcom Drive, was convicted by a jury of twelve on October 26, 2011 for the January crime. Sentencing was originally scheduled for December 5, 2012, however various motions from the defense postponed the sentencing until January, Perrilloux explained.