Two Arrested in St. Landry Parish Child Abuse Investigation

Eunice man charged with child sexual abuse material, animal abuse

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation has arrested two men in St. Landry Parish as part of a child abuse investigation. Jed M. Courville, 59, of Eunice, was charged with 275 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and 115 counts of sexual abuse of an animal. Jeremy Paul Richard, 30, of Opelousas, was also arrested on a charge of child sexual abuse material.

Why it matters

The arrests highlight the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to crack down on the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, which is a serious crime with devastating impacts on victims. The case also involves the disturbing charge of sexual abuse of animals, which is an emerging area of concern for authorities.

The details

The investigation began after officials received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Courville was charged under Louisiana's strict laws regarding child sexual abuse material, which can carry sentences of up to 40 years in prison. Richard was also charged under the same statute. The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Eunice Police Department.

  • The investigation began after a tip was received in 2026.

The players

Jed M. Courville

A 59-year-old man from Eunice, Louisiana who was arrested and charged with 275 counts of possessing child sexual abuse material and 115 counts of sexual abuse of an animal.

Jeremy Paul Richard

A 30-year-old man from Opelousas, Louisiana who was arrested and charged with possession of child sexual abuse material.

Louisiana Bureau of Investigation

The state law enforcement agency that led the investigation and made the arrests.

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What’s next

The investigation is ongoing, according to officials. The suspects are currently being held in the St. Landry Parish Jail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the exploitation of children and animals through the possession and distribution of abusive material. It underscores the importance of reporting suspicious activity to authorities and the collaborative work required to bring perpetrators to justice.