Jody Simoneaux
Alleged Abuse: Put on leave after allegations from more than 30 years surfaced from St. Landry and Lafayette parishes; no criminal charges filed.
Where is he now: On Leave
The Rev. Jody Simoneaux was placed on leave from his post as pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Jeanerette last year after allegations surfaced against him.
The Diocese announced that allegations had been made that he was involved in “improper behavior with minors” more than 30 years ago, when he was assigned to St. Anthony Church, St. Edmund High School in Eunice and St. Anne Church in Youngsville.
To date, the Diocese has not released any additional information regarding their investigation. We have received a report from Eunice Police indicating that the Lafayette Police Department forwarded a complaint about Simoneaux regarding an incident that occurred in 1982 or 1983.
In January 2019, an individual contacted KATC saying they had come forward with additional allegations of sexual abuse against Simoneaux.
Timeline:
1982: Ordained
1983-1988: St. Anthony of Padua Church, Eunice
1989-1995: St. Anne Church, Youngsville
1996- 2007: St. Genevieve Church in Lafayette
2008: St. John the Evangelist in Jeanerette
2018: Put on leave
(Also served as a sophomore religion teacher at St. Thomas More in Lafayette)
