Former Ponchatoula Teacher Arrested On Child Sexual Abuse Material Charges

PONCHATOULA, La. — Ponchatoula Police Chief Bry Layrisson has announced the arrest of 30-year-old Trey Sparks following an investigation involving alleged inappropriate communications with a juvenile male.

According to the Ponchatoula Police Department, detectives received a complaint concerning messages discovered between Sparks and the juvenile. At the time of the complaint, Sparks was employed as a teacher at D.C. Reeves Elementary School and served as a coach at Ponchatoula Junior High School.

During the investigation, detectives reportedly discovered numerous items on Sparks’ phone containing inappropriate material involving juveniles.

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Sparks was arrested and charged with four counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student.

He was booked on the charges and transported to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail.

Ponchatoula detectives are working alongside the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office as the investigation continues. Police say additional charges are possible.

Chief Layrisson emphasized that no current students at D.C. Reeves Elementary School or Ponchatoula Junior High School are involved in the investigation.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators is encouraged to contact the Ponchatoula Police Department at 985-386-6548.

The allegations remain under investigation, and Sparks is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.