Mistress allegedly part of fake divorce in Acadiana goes to court

VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY) - The accused mistress in a controversial Acadiana divorce, LaShonda Pope had a court appearance in Vermilion Parish in front of Judge Thomas Frederick. She faces a charge of first-degree injuring public records. 

The victim, Teqela Francis said hope is looking up after the case of a woman accused of impersonating her in a scheme to file fraudulent divorce papers had a new lawyer enrolled to represent her.

“After discovering that it was three attorneys that didn't want to represent her. I kind of feel relieved because one finally is one to represent her. But on that matter, he's having to look over her case. Having the court date pushed again but I'm determined and I'm not going to give up until justice is served,” said Francis. 

Pope’s new lawyer motioned for discovery to review her case and the case was pushed to January 9th 2025. Francis said she is determined to travel back and forth from Texas to Louisiana to see justice get served. 

“I don't even know this person and it's affecting my kids and I'm wanting justice because, I know for a fact all the the stuff that I needed to take to file for this divorce and what took place in that matter, upon talking to the attorney that I already have in place, and I need justice to be served like something that needs to be done and I'm going to continue coming to Louisiana. I don't care how many court days it takes until justice is served. I will continue coming,” she said. “With the holidays and me going into the New Year with it. I was praying and hoping that it wouldn't move forward and I would have some closure today but I'm fine now that she has somebody that's going to finally represent her. So I kind of feel relieved that the matter is moving slowly but is finally kind of going somewheres.” 

If Pope is convicted for first-degree injuring public records she could be sentenced to five years in prison or fined 5,000 or both.