GRAMERCY — A former St. James deputy pled guilty to multiple child sex crimes and malfeasance in office, District Attorney Ricky Babin said.

Tykeim Simoneaux, 23, was arrested in February 2026 following an investigation into a tip alleging he had solicited minors to send videos and pictures of themselves committing "a lewd and lascivious or sex act in exchange for money." Officials said he had engaged in explicit contact with multiple girls aged 13 to 16.

Simoneaux was fired from his job as a deputy following his initial arrest. He pled guilty to two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, two counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor, one count of malfeasance in office - tampering with evidence, one count of obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and 32 counts of production of child sexual abuse material.

Officials say Simoneaux faces decades in state prison. Sentencing is set for Feb. 22, 2027.