NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) -- A New Iberia man has been sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison for jury tampering.

Travis Layne, 39, was convicted after prosecutors said he attempted to contact a juror ahead of a previously scheduled trial. Louisiana law allows up to three decades at hard labor for jury tampering, and the judge imposed the maximum penalty.

During sentencing, Layne’s mother and father testified on his behalf. His attorney argued that Layne struggled with anxiety and fear while jailed for a crime he insists he did not commit. The judge ultimately rejected those claims.

At the time of the tampering, Layne was serving a 2022 sentence for attacking a school bus driver. He had pled guilty to second-degree battery, aggravated obstruction of a highway and battery of a schoolteacher, all charges stemming from that same incident. Court records show the assault happened while Layne was out on bond in a separate case involving the murder of a 17-year-old.

Because of his criminal history, prosecutors say they will now pursue a habitual offender designation. If successful, that ruling would upgrade his jury tampering sentence to life in prison.

Layne is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 13 for the habitual offender hearing.

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