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Survivor: Thailand contestant John Raymond was part of the series in 2002. He was the first cast member to be voted out on the competition show. Since then, the CBS show player has not been seen in other competitions or reality TV shows.
He founded Lakeside Christian Academy in Louisiana and became a pastor of the church located in the same building. Raymond faces three felony charges and a second-degree child cruelty charge. According to Nola News, the trial began on Tuesday, September 12, 2024, where Raymond's attorney Joseph Long defended him.
Allegedly, Raymond had used a tape to shut children's mouths and covered another kid's mouth until he fainted. The Survivor contestant told a WDSU 6 reporter that he was not guilty and had love for all the students studying at the Christian school.
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His attorney, Long, stated that no children were hurt by Raymond's actions which were only "disciplinary." Meanwhile, Raymond said:
"I've never treated a child cruel [sic] in my life. I'm innocent of the charges against me, I love all of our students. We believe that the law will prevail, and we'll be completely exonerated."
Former Survivor contestant John Raymond faces charges on child cruelty
As per the Nola News September 17, 2024 article, Raymond expressed concern about "cancel culture" and claimed he was being targeted for adhering to his religious beliefs. He repeatedly denied harming any child, while his attorney further defended the Survivor contestant in Covington at the St. Tammany Parish Justice Center. Long continued:
"People in the community know that he has spent his whole life trying to make this a better place. He didn't wake up one day and decide to abuse children."
Long further mentioned that Raymond had only followed the Bible and his beliefs, incorporating "principles of Christian education" into the school's curriculum.
“Make no mistake, folks, this country is in the middle of a culture war. In Europe, parents can’t even physically discipline their children anymore. It’s coming. This is government overreach.”
Christina Fisher, however, disagreed with Long's statements. The Assistant District Attorney said that Raymond's actions "weren't justifiable" but instead were "criminal."
She further mentioned that none of his actions should be agreed to as suitable to maintain discipline for the students going to Lakeside Christian Academy. She said:
“His actions weren’t justifiable. They were criminal. These are not acceptable forms of discipline in any way, shape or form."
Fisher narrated two of the alleged events involving a four year old kid as:
“He put tape over their mouths and sent them back to class … where they sat, humiliated. The principal didn’t approve. Neither did the parents. His screaming was muffled. His kicking slowed. Finally, he stopped. He went limp."
The former Survivor contestant founded the Christian school Lakeside Christian Academy back in 2016. He is also known to be a pastor at the New Horizon Church.
The charges against the former Survivor eliminated cast member Raymond surfaced back in 2022 as he was the headmaster of the school.
Aside from this, there have been no further updates on the trial as of now. The trial, expected to last a week, is anticipated to include testimony from parents, teachers, and a child specialist to address Raymond's alleged behavior.
