PONCHATOULA — A teacher has been arrested after allegedly possessing child sexual abuse material and having sexual contact with a student, Tangipahoa Parish jail records say.

According to jail records, 30-year-old Trey Sparks was arrested Tuesday on four counts of possessing child sexual abuse material depicting victims under the age of 13 and one count of prohibited sexual contact between an educator and a student. 

WBRZ has received a letter sent to parents and employees from the Tangipahoa Parish School System addressing allegations against a teacher at DC Reeves Elementary School who also served as a coach at Ponchatoula Junior High School. The teacher, the letter says, was placed on administrative leave until the investigation into the allegations is finished.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office said that Ponchatoula Police were contacted by concerned parents who located alarming messages between a juvenile and a coach with the Tangipahoa Parish School System. Ponchatoula Police seized devices belonging to Sparks and found victims in Livingston Parish.

Livingston Parish Schools also issued a statement saying Sparks was a teacher at Maurepas School from 2021 to 2024.

Sparks was booked in the Livingston Parish Detention Center on molestation of a juvenile, two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile, one count of computer solicitation of a minor, one count of sexual battery, one count of possession of CSAM, one count of production of CSAM and prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student.

LPSO Sheriff Jason Ard said more charges as expected as possible victims are identified.