Former Lafourche Parish teacher sentenced after being found guilty of sexually abusing student
LAFOURCHE PARISH, La. (WGNO) — A former Lafourche Parish art teacher, who was found guilty of sexually abusing a student, has been sentenced.
According to the Office of District Attorney Kristine Russell, Ralph Cheramie Jr. had been awaiting the July 18 sentencing since his conviction at the end of a three-day trial in May.
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The district attorney’s office reported that Cheramie had sexually abused a minor while teaching at a middle school in 2009.
Russel’s office stated that the victim initially reported the abuse to school administrators, but little action was taken after an internal investigation, and law enforcement was uninvolved at that time.
As an adult, the victim reportedly decided to come forward directly to law enforcement.
According to the district attorney’s office, a second victim testified against him during the trial, and the two testimonies served to demonstrate a “pattern and method of grooming young students for sexual purposes.”
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On Thursday, a judge sentenced Cheramie to 40 years for sexual molestation of a juvenile, 40 years for sexual battery when the victim is under 13 and 10 years for indecent behavior with a juvenile under 13.
These sentences are to be served concurrently with one another.
According to the district attorney’s office, “Additional charges are pending against Cheramie in connection with another victim.”
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