Former Survivor Contestant John Raymond Arrested On Child Cruelty Charges

John Raymond first appeared on Survivor back in its fifth season in 2002. His last attachment to the show was attending the Survivor’s 10-year anniversary party in 2010. He was recently arrested on cruelty charges, so the hit CBS show is probably happy he hasn’t been back for any reunions.

At the time of his Survivor stay, Raymond was a pastor from Slidell, Louisiana. That has not changed in the years since. However, since then, he has also become a headmaster at Slidell’s Lakeside Christian Academy.

Raymond was arrested Thursday for allegedly taping students’ mouths shut, according to The New Orleans Advocate (NOLA). He was arrested at the same place where he is serving as the head now. The Slidell police said that Raymond’s arrest came after the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services filed a complaint about “potential child abuse” at the school in late March.

Detectives said that Raymond wrapped packing tape around three 13-year-old male students’ heads, due to excessive talking. The tape later had to be removed by another administrator after 45 minutes, but was so tightly wound that police say the removal process was “painful,” and scissors had to be used. The boys also apparently had trouble breathing.

Raymond is also a member of the governing body of the Louisiana Republican Party. He chairs its credentials committee. He has also been vice chairman of the St. Tammany Parish Republican Party, the parish in which Slidell is located.

Raymond surrendered after police obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was booked into the city jail and was then scheduled to be transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail, where a bond will be set.

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