911 call helps convict former Louisiana district attorney

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Six years ago, a woman made a desperate call to 911. Now, a longtime Louisiana prosecutor called a sexual predator by federal authorities faces a possible three years in prison.

Records released today reveal that sheriff's deputies summoned an FBI agent after Danelle Keim called for help and accused Harry Morel, who served as St. Charles Parish's elected district attorney for more than three decades, of sexually assaulting her at her home.

Keim became the key witness for the FBI in its long-running investigation of Morel, who pleaded guilty Wednesday to obstructing a federal investigation of the sex abuse allegations. Authorities say Morel repeatedly abused his power to prey on vulnerable women, offering them or their relatives leniency from his office in exchange for sex.

Investigators accused Morel of soliciting sex from at least 20 women during his 33-year tenure in office.

"Harry Morel could make things go away, but he wanted sexual acts in exchange," U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite said. "We suspect that this pattern of conduct has been ongoing for many decades. In fact, we will never know the full extent of it."

One of Morel's alleged victims was 27-year-old Keim, who died of a drug overdose in 2013. Investigators said her cooperation with the FBI was instrumental in securing a guilty plea from Morel, who faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison.