High School Teacher Charged After Allegedly Showing Nude Photos of Himself to 15-Year-Old Student

Demetric A. Preston, a teacher at Woodlawn High School in Caddo Parish, La., was charged with indecent behavior with juveniles

NEED TO KNOW

• Demetric A. Preston, a Louisiana teacher, was arrested and charged in connection with alleged indecent behavior with a 15-year-old student
• Caddo Parish Public Schools placed Preston on leave and emphasized its commitment to student safety and employee conduct standards
• Preston was released on a $150,000 bond after being booked into the Caddo Correctional Center on Friday, Sept. 11

A Louisiana high school teacher is facing criminal charges after allegedly showing nude images of himself to a 15-year-old student.

Demetric A. Preston, who taught at Woodlawn High School, part of the Caddo Parish Public Schools in Shreveport, La., was arrested and charged with indecent behavior with juveniles, a spokesperson for the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office told PEOPLE.

After the school notified police, police launched an investigation into Preston, 28, on Aug. 25 during the first week of school, the spokesperson for the CPSO said. The 15-year-old student’s identity has not been publicly released.

Preston was later arrested and booked into the Caddo Correctional Center and was released on bond on the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 11. His bond was set at $150,000.

The CPSO said the district immediately placed Preston on leave upon learning of the incident.

“We understand that incidents like these are deeply concerning for our families and community,” Caddo Public Schools said in a statement to local outlet KSLA. “Caddo Schools takes our responsibility seriously to provide a safe environment for every student, and any allegation of inappropriate conduct requires immediate attention.”

The statement added that every employee must complete a “rigorous criminal background check and meet all applicable state employment and compliance requirements before being hired,” and that the school system maintains “clear standards of employee conduct, reporting requirements, and procedures to respond quickly when concerns are raised.”

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“The alleged actions of individual employees do not reflect the expectations we have for the thousands of dedicated professionals serving Caddo students each day,” the statement concluded, per the outlet. “We will continue reviewing our practices, strengthening safeguards where needed, and doing everything within our authority to protect the students entrusted to our care.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Caddo Public Schools.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.

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