Houma native opening for Bon Jovi tonight
February 10, 2017
To ask … or not to ask
February 14, 2017
A Houma man and Vandebilt Catholic High School girls’ basketball assistant coach is in custody of the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old girl.
On Feb. 9, TPSO said it received information from a moth mother in Gulfport, Mississippi, that said her 16-year-old daughter had run away from home.
The woman said the daughter then contacted her and said she was in Houma, but was in danger.
TPSO deputies and detectives located the girl in a bedroom at 3615 Friendswood Drive. Authorities said she was partially clothed at the time of deputies’ arrival.
She was in the presence of Derrian Williams, 29, of Houma.
Williams is a long time basketball coach in the area, who has coached TPR, AAU and also at both Ellender and most recently at Vandebilt Catholic High School, where he was em-
ployed this season — his first with the school.
Williams is a well-known figure in area coaching circles. In recent years, he helped guide TPR to International Championships, and many of the players he’s coached in his career have now grown to become prominent figures on the local prep basketball circuit – some even ascending to the college level.
Through interviews, authorities said they learned that the juvenile victim met “a black male” on KIK, and she arranged to be picked up by the man in Gulfport.
The juvenile said that Williams was the one who picked her up, and on the way back to Houma, they allegedly smoked marijuana together.
Once at Friendswood Drive, Williams allegedly advised that the girl would have sex with him in order to pay her debt for being transported from Gulfport to Houma.
The woman allegedly complied, and after engaging in sexual intercourse, the suspect advised the girl that he had a client coming in and that she would now be providing sex to his clients.
At that time, the juvenile contacted her mother and sought help.
Williams was located and taken into custody. He is charged with one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. After further information, he is also charged with one count of human trafficking and one count of attempted human trafficking.
Authorities said Williams refused to answer any questions during the investigation.
At press-time on Monday, Williams remained in the Terrebonne Parish Jail.
The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux and Vandebilt issued a joint statement late last week confirming Williams’ arrest.
In the release, the entities confirmed that Williams was a paid, non-faculty employee. They also said that he has been fired from his position, effective immediately.
“To our knowledge, no Vandebilt Catholic faculty member or student was involved in the matters under investigation,” the release reads. “Nonetheless, we take such matters seriously.” Attempts to reach coaches with the Vandebilt Catholic girls’ basketball program were unsuccessful as of press-time on Monday afternoon.
The Lady Terriers have struggled through the 2016-17 girls’ basketball season, but still have games to play.
On Monday, it was announced that the team had qualified for the Division II State Playoffs.
The team will take on Lusher in the opening round of the playoffs – the team’s first action since Williams’ arrest and dismissal.
Former Vandebilt girls’ basketball assistant coach Derrian Williams remains in jail after being charged with multiple sex-related crimes.
