BY JIM BUTLER

A Ball man accused of sex crimes while substitute teaching in Grant Parish has been booked on similar charges in Rapides.

Dakota Ray, 27, was charged Monday with 16 counts of carnal knowledge and 16 of indecent behavior with juveniles.

Details of the circumstances leading to the allegations in the Rapides case were not yet available.

Ray was charged in Grant in mid-March for alleged actions while working as a long-term, uncertified substitute teacher at Grant High School.

Many school systems have such teaching slots due to the relative shortage of degree-holding certified instructors in some subjects, such as math.

In Grant, Ray is charged with 27 counts of possession of child pornography, 28 counts of indecent behavior, prohibited sexual conduct between educator and student and malfeasance in office.

His Rapides bail is set at $32,000.