A Louisiana man's appeal to reduce his 99-year prison sentence was rejected after his conviction for drugging, kidnapping, and sexually abusing a woman at Golden Nugget Casino in St. Charles.

Stephen Douglas Cormier was convicted in 2023 on charges of second-degree sexual battery, second-degree kidnapping, and mingling harmful substances.

The assault occurred on October 5, 2021, when Cormier met his victim at the casino's blackjack tables. Casino surveillance footage showed him spiking the victim's drink at the bar. The victim became severely impaired and Cormier transported her to a friend's house, where he sexually assaulted her and took photographs of the abuse.

The victim's boyfriend and mother later found her in her car at the casino parking garage, disoriented and unable to recall events after meeting Cormier. Security footage confirmed Cormier had returned her to her vehicle.

During the investigation, police discovered photos of the assault on Cormier's phone, along with video footage of him similarly assaulting another unconscious victim. The second victim reported having no memory of the assault.

Cormier's appeal claimed the video evidence of the second assault shouldn't have been admissible in court. However, the 3rd Circuit Appeal Court rejected this argument, stating the footage demonstrated his pattern of sexually abusing unconscious women.

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