Louisiana Catholic Priest Faces Felony Charges for Alleged Child Sexual Abuse
A Catholic priest in the Lafayette diocese of Louisiana has been formally charged with three counts of felony indecent behavior with a juvenile, marking another troubling chapter in the region's history of clergy abuse scandals. Korey LaVergne, 37, is accused of committing lewd acts involving a 15-year-old victim, with charges filed by the district attorney for Acadia parish.
Details of the Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The bill of information charges LaVergne with "willfully, unlawfully, knowingly and intentionally" committing lewd or lascivious acts upon the juvenile, or in the minor's presence, on or about January 1, 2024. Prosecutors contend these acts were intended to arouse or gratify sexual desires. LaVergne's attorneys filed a document on March 11 stating the clergyman waived formal arraignment and pleaded not guilty in writing to all charges.
LaVergne was initially arrested in mid-January on the same three counts and posted $15,000 bail within 90 minutes of being jailed, securing his release while the case proceeds. A pretrial hearing has been tentatively scheduled for June 12 after his attorney filed standard court motions. Neither LaVergne nor his attorney responded to requests for comment regarding the formal charges.
Historical Context of Abuse in the Lafayette Diocese
The Lafayette diocese holds significant historical weight in the US Catholic clergy abuse crisis. Another priest from the same diocese, Gilbert Gauthe, pleaded guilty in 1985 to molesting several boys he encountered through his ministry, effectively bringing the nationwide scandal to public consciousness. Gauthe served 10 years in prison and now lives in Texas, but continues to face civil lawsuits from victims seeking damages from the Lafayette diocese.
According to investigators' reports obtained by media outlets, LaVergne was jailed after authorities received information that he had "inappropriately touched a child" over the course of a year. A Lafayette news station reported that another priest reported the allegations against LaVergne to authorities prior to his arrest.
Legal Consequences and Support Resources
Under Louisiana law, indecent behavior with a juvenile is defined as "any lewd or lascivious act ... in the presence of any child under the age of 17," and can include grooming behaviors through texts or messages. LaVergne faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines if convicted.
For those affected by similar issues, support is available through various organizations. In the US, the Childhelp abuse hotline can be reached at 800-422-4453, while adult survivors of child abuse can find resources at ascasupport.org. International helplines include the UK's NSPCC and Australia's Kids Helpline for comprehensive assistance.
