A former New Orleans teacher and coach, Benoit Cransac, was rearrested on March 23 on additional charges of video voyeurism of a child under seventeen, according to Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation. Cransac, age 49 and a French national with legal residence in the United States, had previously been arrested in January for possession of child sexual abuse material.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by state authorities to investigate and prosecute crimes involving children. The Louisiana Department of Justice serves as the primary legal office for the state and is led by an independently elected attorney general according to the official website. The department provides services statewide and focuses on protecting constitutional rights while offering legal resources for Louisiana citizens according to the official website.
Cransac was already being held at the Orleans Justice Center when he was rearrested on these latest charges. He now faces multiple counts: his initial arrest on January 8 included 22 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material; he was rearrested on January 21 for three more counts related to child sexual abuse material; and most recently, he has been charged with 17 counts of video voyeurism involving a minor under seventeen. According to reports, Cransac was fired from Isidore Newman School after the first set of charges came to light.
Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “This is an ongoing investigation, and we will ensure that all appropriate charges are brought against Cransac.” Murrill leads the Louisiana Department of Justice as attorney general according to the official website, where she has also challenged federal overreach in more than 35 cases according to the official website.
Cransac remains in custody at this time at Orleans Justice Center. Bond information has not been released. Authorities have asked anyone with further information about this matter or about Cransac himself to contact the Attorney General’s Office at 225-326-6100.
The investigation into these allegations continues as officials work to preserve Louisiana’s culture and heritage through their legal efforts according to the official website.