Thomas Tucker III and Sharotta Lewis. Credit: Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office
A man and woman from Houma are arrested on allegations of sexually abusing children.
The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says DCFS contacted detectives from the Special Victim’s Unit about allegations of physical and sexual abuse of children; and following a thorough investigation, they identified Thomas Tucker III, 57, as the perpetrator.
Tucker is behind bars on $602,000 bond and is facing a slew of charges.
Deputy Blake Tabor listed them: “Cruelty to juveniles, simple battery, sexual battery — two counts of that, one was a felony one was a misdemeanor — indecent behavior with juvenile. two counts.”
Tabor says what’s especially disturbing is that Tucker is a man who passed himself off as someone who children could trust and confide in.
“Thomas Tucker is a self-proclaimed pastor of a ministry in Thibodaux referred to as ‘Outcast of Society Ministries,'” says Tabor.
In addition, detectives say Sharotta Lewis, 47, witnessed the abuse and failed to report it.
She’s also behind bars on $602,000 bond, and she’s charged with cruelty to juveniles, two counts of principal to sexual battery, two counts of principal to indecent behavior with juveniles and simple battery.
TPSO did not establish the relationship, if any, between Tucker and Lewis, and they also did not establish how they were connected to their victims, whether they were members of their “church” or if there was a familial connection.
Due to the fact that the victims are minors, TPSO did not release their ages or genders.
Tabor says this remains an active investigation.
“The concern is that there are additional victims that may be out there that for one reason or another may be afraid to come forward,” Tabor says. “So we certainly want to plead to the public to make sure that if there’s anyone out there that may be scared or concerned, now is the time to come forward.”
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