Lafayette, LA – A 33-year-old man from Lafayette has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of child pornography and sexual abuse involving animals. Brandon Needham, who had been working as a substitute teacher for the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS), was taken into custody on Wednesday following a joint investigation by state and local law enforcement agencies.
According to LPSS records, Needham began working as a day-to-day substitute teacher in September of last year, filling in for teachers and paraprofessionals at various schools within the parish. He was not a long-term substitute, meaning his assignments typically lasted only a day or two. Over the course of his employment, Needham worked a total of 58 days across nine middle schools and nine elementary schools in the district.
During the period Needham was available as a substitute, there were 105 instructional days. LPSS confirmed that he was cleared through the standard background check processes typically required for substitute teachers, but it is unclear whether these checks would have flagged any concerns related to his arrest.
Needham’s arrest stems from an ongoing investigation into child pornography and sexual abuse involving animals, which was initiated after a tip from the public. Authorities have not disclosed the specifics of the investigation but confirmed that Needham is facing multiple charges, which include sexual abuse of an animal and the possession and distribution of child pornography.
The Lafayette Parish School System has yet to comment in detail on the case. However, the district has emphasized its commitment to providing a safe learning environment for students. LPSS officials have stated that they are fully cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.
The arrest of a school district employee on such serious charges raises concerns about the vetting process for substitutes and other school staff. In response to the incident, many parents have called for a review of the district’s hiring protocols to ensure that such an event does not occur again in the future.