A Roman Catholic priest in Louisiana, Korey LaVergne, was arrested on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate touching that spanned over a year. The arrest took place in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, on January 18, 2026.
According to the initial report obtained by The Guardian through a public records request, the local authorities were informed that LaVergne had inappropriately touched a child. The details of the allegations were not specified in the report, but it did mention that the incidents occurred over a prolonged period.
LaVergne was booked into the Acadia Parish jail and later released after posting bail. The sheriff's office confirmed the arrest but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
The Diocese of Lafayette, which oversees the parish where LaVergne served, issued a statement saying that they were "deeply troubled" by the allegations and that LaVergne had been placed on administrative leave. They also urged anyone with information to come forward.
This is not the first time that the Diocese of Lafayette has dealt with allegations of clergy abuse. In 2022, the diocese paid a $5 million settlement to nine victims of sexual abuse by priests between 1950 and 2002.
The arrest of LaVergne comes as the Catholic Church faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse allegations. In the United States alone, thousands of allegations have been made against priests over the years, leading to numerous lawsuits, settlements, and reforms.
The investigation into LaVergne's case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what evidence the authorities have and what the outcome of the case will be. In the meantime, the community is left to grapple with the disturbing allegations and the impact they may have on the Catholic Church in Louisiana and beyond.
Sources:
The Guardian. (2026, January 18). Louisiana clergy abuse: Korey LaVergne arrested on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/18/louisiana-clergy-abuse-korey-lavergne
The Guardian. (2026, January 24). Arrested Louisiana priest accused of inappropriately touching a child, report says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/arrested-louisiana-priest-indecent-behavior-juvenile-report
A Roman Catholic priest in Louisiana, Korey LaVergne, was arrested on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate touching that spanned over a year. The arrest took place in Acadia Parish, Louisiana, on January 18, 2026.
According to the initial report obtained by The Guardian through a public records request, the local authorities were informed that LaVergne had inappropriately touched a child. The details of the allegations were not specified in the report, but it did mention that the incidents occurred over a prolonged period.
LaVergne was booked into the Acadia Parish jail and later released after posting bail. The sheriff's office confirmed the arrest but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing investigation.
The Diocese of Lafayette, which oversees the parish where LaVergne served, issued a statement saying that they were "deeply troubled" by the allegations and that LaVergne had been placed on administrative leave. They also urged anyone with information to come forward.
This is not the first time that the Diocese of Lafayette has dealt with allegations of clergy abuse. In 2022, the diocese paid a $5 million settlement to nine victims of sexual abuse by priests between 1950 and 2002.
The arrest of LaVergne comes as the Catholic Church faces renewed scrutiny over its handling of sexual abuse allegations. In the United States alone, thousands of allegations have been made against priests over the years, leading to numerous lawsuits, settlements, and reforms.
The investigation into LaVergne's case is ongoing, and it remains to be seen what evidence the authorities have and what the outcome of the case will be. In the meantime, the community is left to grapple with the disturbing allegations and the impact they may have on the Catholic Church in Louisiana and beyond.
Sources:
The Guardian. (2026, January 18). Louisiana clergy abuse: Korey LaVergne arrested on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/18/louisiana-clergy-abuse-korey-lavergne
The Guardian. (2026, January 24). Arrested Louisiana priest accused of inappropriately touching a child, report says. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/24/arrested-louisiana-priest-indecent-behavior-juvenile-report
