Former WCHS hoop standout found innocent of molestation

Former White Castle High and Nicholls State University basketball standout Willie J. Depron was found innocent of three counts of molestation in a court case last week in Gonzales.

After graduation from Nicholls State, Depron coached boys’ basketball at Desire Street Academy before moving to Ascension Catholic High in Donaldsonville.

While coaching and teaching at ACHS, Depron was arrested and charged with three counts of molestation of a juvenile, reportedly a student at the school.

It took the jury less than a half an hour to return a unanimous verdict of not guilty. The trial was held in Gonzales before Judge Alvin Turner Jr.

“I have had to wait two years for a court trial to be proven innocent. This has been very hard on me. I want to get back into coaching and teaching,” explained Depron in a telephone call Monday to the Donaldsonville Chief. “ I called so you might be able to let the people of White Castle, Donaldsonville, and Iberville know the verdict,” he added.

Depron was both a basketball and track standout during his years at White Castle High. He was a member of several outstanding basketball teams at the school, under longtime Coach Ronald Johnson, playing in several state playoff contests and one state championship title game in 1998.

He was a multiple state champion in distance race events in both outdoor track and Cross Country as well.

Depron, now 31, resides in White Castle. He played at Nicholls State in the early 2000s for three seasons and was an outstanding scorer and assists leader.