By: Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office

NAPOLEONVILLE – Assumption Parish School Superintendent Jeremy Couvillion is releasing the following prepared statement in connection with a reported incident at the Assumption High School campus this week:

Yesterday a student came forward to Assumption High School administration to express concerns about a potentially inappropriate relationship between a teacher and student at the school.   Once the district learned of the accusations, the teacher was not allowed to have contact with any Assumption High School students. The school system also contacted law enforcement.

As part of a combined effort of the Assumption Parish School Board and the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office to bring this serious matter to resolution, Sheriff Leland Falcon issues the following public statement:

“On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, the Sheriff’s Office received an official complaint from the Assumption Parish School System of a reported inappropriate relationship between a teacher and a student at Assumption High School.”

The information contained in the complaint was immediately referred to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and a criminal investigation immediately commenced.

As a result of that investigative process, detectives determined that probable cause existed to apply for an arrest warrant charging Tracie B. Zimmerman, 43, of 5736 Crossover Road, Napoleonville, LA, with one count of:

            *L.R.S. 14:81.4 – Prohibited Sexual Conduct Between an Educator and a Student

Tracie B. Zimmerman was arrested, transported to the Assumption Parish Detention Center and booked accordingly.

Tracie B. Zimmerman was released on bond.  

Upon completion of the investigation, the matter will be forwarded to the 23rd Judicial District Attorney Ricky Babin for evaluation and possible criminal prosecution.

“I commend the school system for their immediate response and cooperation in this extremely serious matter,” said Sheriff Leland Falcon.

 

In closing, Superintendent Couvillion said the following:

The school system is devastated by the allegations of this serious breach of trust by an employee. Our focus now is on supporting our students, supporting law enforcement in their investigation, and continuing our investigation into this matter. Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation and a personnel matter, the school system will not have further comment at this time.