Deputies: 2 men arrested for alleged sex offenses against teen with mental disability

GRAY, LA (WVUE) - Two Terrebonne Parish men were arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of 18-year-old woman with a mental disability.

Cornelius Ellis, 53, and Roland Shepard, 66, were arrested on Thursday and charged with sexual battery of the infirmed. Both are from Gray.

Officers state that they received reports of the alleged abuse on Thursday morning.

Police say that Ellis is the victim's neighbor. Questioned Thursday evening, officers say that Ellis admitted to exchanging graphic photographs with the victim, but denied inappropriately touching her.

Shepard is a family friend, police state. Detectives say that he admitted to not only exchanging graphic photographs with the victim, but engaging in sexual contact with her.

Both men were transported to the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex. Bond has been set at $250,000 each.

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