Am I Missing Something?

Man abuses someone who has an intellectual disability and as his punishment, judge orders him to work with the ARC.

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Billy Glass (Photo: CPSO)
I came across an article today in the Shreveport Times that explained:

“The Arc Caddo-Bossier says it will not allow former Shreveport firefighter Billy Glass to perform community service or work with the intellectually disabled people the agency serves.”

As I read the article, I learned that several former firefighters were involved in incidents at the firehouse.

“Billy Glass, a former Shreveport firefighter accused of abusing a mentally-disabled man at Fire Station No. 8, and of hiring a prostitute for another intellectually challenged man, pleaded guilty today to both charges.”

What I can’t wrap my head around is the punishment that the judge thought was appropriate:

“Judge Ramona Emanuel sentenced him to 90 days of unsupervised probation on the misdemeanor prostitution count and one year of supervised probation on the felony cruelty charge. He must also pay a $25 fine, attend AIDS counseling, sensitivity training and work with intellectually disabled people.

Glass, 38, entered a so-called Alford plea, meaning he maintains his innocence but concedes the evidence in the case would reasonably result in a guilty verdict against him.”

As a mother, I fell this is absurd.  I cannot fathom why anyone would think having these men work around more vulnerable adults is a good idea.

“Federal and state officials are investigating three Shreveport firefighters who allegedly abused two middle-aged disabled men, got them drunk and watched as at least one of the men had sex with a woman.”

As it is, we are currently fighting to get consistency when it comes to criminal background checks for people who work as care providers.  WHY then would we “sentence” known abusers to perform “community service” with our loved ones?!
On top of the abuse, there was an apparent attempt to cover up the scandal.  The chief and assistant chief were fired for violation of administration policies.

“The 50-year-old is accused of failing to report that an intellectually disabled man was being abused at Fire Station 8 and of trying to conceal the hiring of a prostitute for another mentally challenged man at the same fire station.”

Parents in Shreveport must be furious and alarmed.  The rest of us should be too.

In another article, it was reported that Glass would attend sensitivity training at the ARC.  The district attorney is quoted there:

As a part of the deal, Judge Ramona Emanuel added her own requirement: Glass will enroll in a year of sensitivity training with The ARC of Caddo-Bossier, though The ARC has yet to confirm participation.

“The District Attorney’s Office not only has the obligation to uphold the law, but it also has an obligation to do so in a way that we think benefits the community,” assistant district attorney Dale Cox. “I think, in this case, it would benefit the community.”

“Now he can get on with his life,” Glass’ attorney Randal Fish said. “We thought that was a good outcome given the circumstances.”

A good outcome for who?