On April 21, 2025, Raymond Welch of 18665 Ducros Rd. Prairieville, LA, age 74, pled guilty to Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles (10 counts). Welch was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Adam Koenig, and presiding over this matter was the Honorable Judge Steven Tureau. 

          In July 2023, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigations initiated an investigation after receiving information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children indicating the possible possession, distribution and/or manufacturing of child sexual abuse material. During this investigation, agents learned that Raymond Welch was in possession of and made attempts to locate pornography involving juveniles. Agents secured a search warrant for Welch’s residence. During the execution of the search warrant, agents located evidence confirming the information received. Welch was subsequently arrested and booked into the Ascension Parish Jail. 

            Upon entering a guilty plea to the above-mentioned charges, sentencing was deferred to a later date pending a Pre-Sentence Investigation. 

             This week, Raymond Welch was sentenced to 15 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections with credit for time served. Upon release from incarceration, the defendant must register and notify as a sex offender or child predator for a period of 25 years.