On May 16th, 2013, Traci Beaucoudray, a teacher at St. Tammany Parish Junior High in Slidell, Louisiana, was arrested on charges of inappropriate contact with a former student. The arrest followed a collaborative investigation involving the Attorney General’s High Technology Crime Unit, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Slidell Police Department.
Beaucoudray obtained her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of New Orleans in December 2001. She embarked on her teaching career shortly after, instructing junior high students in Math, Language, and Reading. She remained dedicated to her role at the Parish Junior High for 11 years.
Traci Beaucoudray faced multiple felony charges, including 3 counts of Indecent Behavior involving Juveniles, 1 count of Computer-aided solicitation of Minors, and 1 count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Juvenile.
The victim’s mother discovered explicit messages on her child’s phone and promptly alerted law enforcement before Beaucoudray’s arrest. Further investigation revealed that Beaucoudray was not only the victim’s teacher but also her dance instructor, allowing her more opportunities to manipulate and control the victim.
During the court proceedings, evidence was presented indicating Beaucoudray’s misconduct, including messages, emails, and fabricated stories. Louisiana’s Sex Crimes Division found that Beaucoudray maintained “treasure boxes” containing inappropriate images and items related to the victim. She also coerced the victim into sending her explicit images, constituting child pornography.
On July 17th, Beaucoudray was found guilty and sentenced to 7 years in prison for Indecent Behavior with a Minor and 2.5 to 5 years for Attempted Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor.
In 2018, Beaucoudray faced a Parole Board and was denied early release despite her progress in sex offender treatment. In 2021, she appeared before the board again, citing her completion of sex offender courses, involvement in a prison fellowship program, and educational achievements. Her parole was granted, subject to strict conditions including GPS monitoring, no internet access, no contact with juveniles, the victim, or their family, and compliance with mental health evaluations.
Today, Traci Beaucoudray serves as the Clinic Education Coordinator managing the Women’s First Clinic. She resides in Mississippi, abiding by her parole conditions and registering as a Registered Sexual Offender (RSO).
However, there was significant opposition to Beaucoudray’s early release from the District Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Chief of Police, and the victim’s family due to the severity of her offense.
During her parole hearing, the victim’s mother emphasized Beaucoudray’s manipulation and grooming of the children, particularly through her computer-related activities. Despite the controversy, Beaucoudray’s early release was granted, subject to stringent terms.
In conclusion, the case of Traci Beaucoudray highlights the complexities surrounding cases of inappropriate behavior with minors, the judicial process, and the evaluation of individuals for early release.