LAKE CHARLES — A Denham Springs softball umpire—for players 16 and under—was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for receiving child pornography on Thursday, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Officials said Leeroy Sidney Hymel III, 40, began to send "lewd" and "lascivious" pictures and videos of himself to an underage girl. Arrest documents say Hymel enticed the victim to send similar pictures and videos of herself over social media. 

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana reminded parents that predators can turn up anywhere.

"Even our softball fields," he said. "No prison term can undo the harm Mr. Hymel has caused."

On July 30, 2026, Hymel pleaded guilty to receipt of child pornography. On Thursday, he was sentenced to 135 months in federal prison. 

"This investigation, prosecution and resulting sentence send a clear message to those who would prey upon our children: we will find you, we will charge you and you will be looking at a lengthy prison sentence," Keller said.