01/22/2026 | Press release | Archived content
LAFAYETTE - A federal grand jury in Lafayette returned an indictment on December 17, 2025, charging Katherine Albarado with attempted enticement of a minor. Albarado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in federal prison for the charge.
"Protecting Louisiana's children from abuse by people in positions of trust lies at the heart of our mission to make our Louisiana communities safe," said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "The people entrusted with our children discharge one of the most sacred responsibilities that exists in our society, and our Office will continue working with our federal, state, and local partners to investigate and prosecute those who violate that trust."
According to information presented in court, Albarado was a high school teacher in St. Mary Parish in May 2022 when she began using her personal email account to communicate sexually explicit messages with a sixteen-year-old student whom she taught. Over a month's time, Albarado continually tried to persuade the minor victim to engage in sexual activity with her. In addition to describing the sexual activity she wanted to do with the minor victim, Albarado also sent a video of herself undressing in an attempt to entice the minor.
U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and Morgan City Police Department investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren L. Nickel with support from Legal Assistant Christy Angelle.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.govLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacerLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link., under Case Number 6:25-cr-00355.
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