A former Natchitoches Parish school teacher has been arrested in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation being conducted by the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau and High-Tech Crime Unit according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.
The investigation began on Saturday, June 15, 2024, when deputies assigned to the NPSO Patrol Operations Bureau responded to a complaint of alleged allegations of a school teacher sending a juvenile student inappropriate messages by phone and on social media platforms.
Deputies collected evidence and obtained information from the complainant for an offense report. The offense report was turned over to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau for investigative purposes. Detectives spoke with the Superintendent of the Natchitoches Parish School Board and briefed him on the investigation. Upon learning of the allegations, the teacher was immediately terminated.
During the course of the past week, detectives with the assistance of the NPSO High-Tech Crime Unit began conducting interviews and examining forensic evidence. As the investigation progressed, detectives obtained sufficient evidence and probable cause to secure a criminal arrest warrant signed by a 10th Judicial District Court Judge for the arrest of Marques D. Washington, 32, of Natchitoches, La. On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, Washington reported to the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau for an interview. Washington, was placed under arrest, transported and booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center charged with 1-Count of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile.
Washington remains in the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center awaiting bond. Detectives say no further information will be released at this time due to the ongoing sensitive investigation.
Sheriff Stuart Wright said “our office will aggressively investigate any allegations of inappropriate conduct or abuse of children in Natchitoches Parish. We extend our appreciation to the Natchitoches Parish School Board for their full cooperation in this investigation.”
If you have any information regarding this incident or any inappropriate behavior or abuse of children in Natchitoches Parish contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.
*All Persons are Presumed Innocent until Proven Guilty in the Court of Law or Administrative Process*
The case will be turned over to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for review.
Case Agent:
Detective Sgt. Derrick Sowell
NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau
318-357-7830
