Former Natchitoches Parish teacher arrested for sending inappropriate messages to student

NATCHITOCHES, Louisiana (KTAL/KMSS) – A former Natchitoches Parish teacher has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into indecent conduct toward a student, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On Tuesday, detectives with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office announced on social media that the investigation began on Saturday, June 15, after a teacher allegedly sent inappropriate messages to an underage student via phone and social media.

Detectives said they collected evidence from the complainant for a criminal complaint, which was then forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Bureau and the NPSO’s High-Tech Crime Unit and presented to the Superintendent of the Natchitoches Parish School Board.

NPSO said 32-year-old teacher Marques D. Washington was immediately fired after the allegations became known.

On Tuesday, they said, Washington was booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center and charged with one count of indecent conduct with a minor. He is awaiting bail.

Natchitoches Detectives say, “Due to the ongoing sensitive nature of the investigation, no further information will be released at this time.”

They say the case will be forwarded to the Natchitoches Parish District Attorney’s Office for review.

If anyone has information regarding inappropriate behavior or child abuse in Natchitoches Parish, investigators urge them to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.