GRIPPNG his walking stick tightly, a hunched-over Ronald Dominique, 42, needed help from detectives to plod out of the Louisiana courthouse.
-- AP
Short, overweight and suffering from a heart condition, the homeless man hardly seemed like a brutal serial killer.
But three days ago, Dominique was charged with the murders of two men. He is also suspected of killing 21 others, mostly homeless males, between the ages of 16 and 46.
It is believed that the killings took place in Louisiana between 1997 and 2005.
The police alleged that Dominique raped, strangled and suffocated his victims before dumping their bodies in remote spots.
On 1 Dec, Dominique was arrested at the homeless shelter where he was staying.
According to reports, he went willingly with police officers to the Terrebonne Parish jail.
He will held there without bail until a 17 Jan hearing.
Terrebonne sheriff Jerry Larpenter said Dominique, whom he described as a 'nobody', had eagerly confessed to the killings.
Said Mr Larpenter: 'We'd been talking to him for just a short period of time and he started giving it up. I don't know what prompted it. Maybe he just wanted to clear his conscience.'
Dominique also voluntarily gave investigators a DNA sample, which connected him to the two murders.
-- AP
According to the police, Dominique was a charmer. He allegedly met his victims while he was walking or cycling on the street, and would chat with them. He then offered them a ride or talked them into sex.
The district attorney said he plans to seek the death penalty for Dominique.
This is not the man's first brush with the law. Investigators said that over the years, Dominique has been charged seven times and jailed twice for traffic violations, simple battery and disturbing the peace by offensive language.
But one case held vital clues for his later crimes, according to the police. On 25 Aug, Dominique was arrested for rape and remanded.
However, the case did not go to trial as the victim could not be found.
The police said that a break in the case came when an ex-convict told his parole agent about escaping from a man who wanted to tie him up for sex.
Dominique allegedly told the police that his previous encounters in prison left him determined not to go back.
According to FBI Special Agent Jim Bernazzani, this is the most significant current serial killer case for FBI profilers.
He said: 'A serial killer like this hides in plain sight. That's why they are so effective.' - AP
i dont like his face