Update: Former STM Minister Indicted On Child Sex Crimes

An update to a story that KPEL news has been following since late December. Eric Manuel, a former youth minister at St. Thomas More High School, has been indicted on multiple child sex crimes.

State Police have been investigating Manuel. They say he was able to get thousands of child porn images on his home computer through social media sites by allegedly using the alias of a 14-year-old girl named Emily Brant. Police say many of the victims were from the Acadiana area and around the state.

Manuel faces 20 counts in all, 18 counts for the child porn images and 2 counts of allegedly trying to persuade a minor to engage in criminal sexual acts. Manuel could face a maximum of life in prison if he's convicted on these numerous charges.