Eric Ball, Terrebonne Parish substitute teacher was charged with child pornography

Authorities arrested a Terrebonne Parish substitute teacher in a child pornography probe.

According to the Terrebonne Sheriff’s Office, Eric Ball, 53, of Houma, is accused of two counts of possessing pornography involving minors.

During a search by the FBI and the Sheriff’s Office’s Sexual Victims Unit, he was apprehended at his residence. Ball faces more charges, according to authorities.

“The FBI conducted a several months-long investigation into child pornography, which revealed information linking Eric Ball to media of children under the age of 13, involved in sexual acts,” the Sheriff’s Office said Thursday. “Terrebonne Parish SVU detectives assisted with the search warrant at a local Houma residence, where Ball was located and taken into custody. The FBI and Terrebonne SVU detectives are in the process of reviewing evidence seized during the search of the home and believe that additional charges are likely.”

Ball had worked as a substitute teacher at a nearby Houma school and had previously worked as a teacher in Terrebonne, according to officials.

According to school Superintendent Philip Martin, Ball most recently worked as a substitute teacher on a day-to-day basis.

“He was not considered an employee,” Martin said. “His current status is that he’s not employed and his past status is that he worked as a day-to-day substitute.”

Despite the fact that Ball worked in the school system, no instances were reported to local authorities prior to his arrest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

He was bailed out of the Terrebonne Parish jail on a $50,000 bond and is now at home.

Sheriff Tim Soignet advised parents to monitor their children’s social media habits.

“As parents, we must make sure we are talking to our children about all of the safety concerns associated with social media and the internet,” the sheriff said. “It is incredibly important to be vigilant when it comes to our children, and that includes knowing the current passwords, and checking their devices regularly, if not daily. We are the first line of defense when it comes to the safety of our children.”

Soignet thanked his deputies and the FBI for their work in the investigation.

“We will continue to aggressively target those offenders that intend to victimize the children of our community,” he said. “As I’ve said before, I will not tolerate these types of crimes in Terrebonne Parish, and we will do everything in our power to bring these offenders to justice.”

The case remains under investigation.

Last known contact information
Address: 417 Jean St Houma, LA 70360
Phone: (985) 209-8345
Email: ejball86@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eric.ball.524