(Kenner Police Department)
Shelley Dufresne is one of two high school teachers in Louisiana accused of having sex with a student. It’s alleged that Dufresne, along with colleague Rachel Respess, seduced the same male student after a football game in September and had a threesome with him.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Accusations Appeared After the Student Bragged to His Friends
The sex is believed to happened here at Respess’ apartment on West Esplanade Avenue in Kenner, Louisiana. (Google Street View)
Both Dufresne and Respess are teachers at Destrehan High School in Destreshan, Louisiana, just west of New Orleans.
On September 12, it’s alleged that Dufresne and Respess had sex with a student, who was then 16, at Respess’s home. The student was in Dufresne’s English class, according to the St. Charles Herald Guide. The abuse came to light when the student bragged to his friends about what had happened. The assault happened after Destrehan played Helen Cox High School in football.
According to WGNO the relationship was not a one-off, the station spoke to former students who say the three had sex on multiple occasions.
2. Dufresne Has 3 Kids & a Husband
Shelley Dufresne lives along this quiet suburban street, Country Cottage Blvd, in Montz, Louisana. (Google Street View)
Dufresne is married to her husband, Wes, the couple have three children. She has been a teacher at Destrehan for ten years and lives in Montz, Louisana. In 2000, Dufresne graduated from Destrehan High School and later attended Louisiana State University, according to her school bio.
Rachel Respess has been a teacher since 2012. Respess is also a graduate of the school, class of 2008. In her bio on the school’s website it reads:
Welcome Parents and Students!
I’ve made this page available to you to give a little background information about myself. I grew up here in St. Charles Parish and graduated from DHS in 2008. I earned my bachelor’s degree at LSU where I majored in English secondary education with a minor in French.
This is my second year teaching at DHS, and I am excited to be back! I know that the St. Charles Parish Public School System expects excellence, and together I believe we can achieve our goal to maintain that excellence!
Let’s make it happen, people!
Rachel Respess
3. They Both Face Charges of ‘Carnal Knowledge of a Minor’
Destrehan High School in Schexnaydre, Louisiana. (Google Street View)
Dufresne faces charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. Respess faces the exact same charges. Both teachers have been suspended without pay. She was able to post a $200,000 bond to get released under house-arrest, according to WJHL.
Thought the student maintains that the sex was consensual, the age of consent in Louisiana is 17, and the child was only 16. As a result, the teachers could face up to 17 1/2 years in prison.
4. There Are Reports the 3-Way Was Recorded
According to WJHL, police are actively investigating whether there is a sex-tape in circulation of the three-way tryst. WGNO reports that if the video has been deleted, the victim could be on the hook for destroying evidence.
5. She’s the Daughter of a Prominent Louisiana Judge
WGNO reports that Shelly Dufresne is the daughter of St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, judge Emile St. Pierre. The station reports that due to this, it’s likely an outside judge will be called in to oversee the case.