Judge denies contempt in Church at Addis protective order case
Judge Tonya S. Lurry ruled on July 20 that the protective order statute was not intended for how it was being used. She denied the Rule for Contempt filed by the Rev. Thomas A. Shepard against Matthew Tyler.
This article discusses allegations of stalking, abuse, and child safety concerns. If you or someone you know needs support, resources are listed at the end of this article.
An 18th Judicial District Court judge denied a motion for contempt filed by the senior pastor of the Church at Addis against a Port Allen man who had publicly accused him of being a predator.
Judge Tonya S. Lurry ruled from the bench on July 20 that the evidence presented did not amount to a stalking violation. She said the protective order statute is designed for sexual assault and stalking protection and was "not intended for" the way it was being used in this case.
"I can't restrict your freedom" of speech on social media, Lurry told the defendant, Matthew Tyler. She called the claim that Tyler caused hundreds of people to leave the church "a stretch."
Lurry also warned Tyler that his actions came "dangerously close" to potential legal consequences and that he could expose himself to criminal charges if the petitioner chose to pursue them.
Willis objected to the denial on the record. A Judgment Review Status Conference is scheduled for August 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM before Judge Lurry.
How it started
The case traces back to September 1, 2024, when Tyler confronted Shepard at the pulpit during a Sunday service of roughly 300 people. Tyler called Shepard a predator. Church security removed Tyler from the building.
Two days later, the law firm Boyer, Hebert & Angelle sent Tyler a cease-and-desist. On September 5, 2024, Shepard filed a petition for a protective order in his own handwriting. Judge Lurry granted a full 18-month order on September 10.
On March 24, 2026, one week before the protective order was set to expire, Willis filed a motion for contempt and sanctions on Shepard's behalf. In a sworn affidavit, Shepard alleged that Tyler had mailed hundreds of letters to church members and employees and posted edited images of Shepard on social media. Shepard stated the situation had cost him 100 parishioners and reduced school enrollment by 40 percent.
What happened in court
The Rev. Thomas A. Shepard was represented by attorney Grant L. Willis of Taylor Porter. Tyler represented himself.
Willis called Shepard to the stand and introduced exhibits attached to the contempt motion, including the original protective order. He also offered and entered a mailed letter, an email to a former student, and a Facebook post by Tyler, according to court minutes.
The email, entered as Exhibit E, was a forwarded chain. According to the exhibit, the original message was sent from an anonymous ProtonMail address to church deacon Chad Smith on August 21, 2024. Smith forwarded it to Tyler on September 2, 2024. Tyler then forwarded it to another individual on October 14, 2024. Tyler did not originate the email.
Tyler admitted sharing a Facebook post on February 27, 2026 that featured an image resembling Shepard alongside text about controlling church leadership. He said he shared the post but did not create it.
A mailed letter entered as Exhibit D was addressed to a recipient in Plaquemine. David, who was called as a defense witness, testified she never received a letter attributed to the mass mailing campaign.
Willis also attempted to connect the handwriting on one of the letters to a W-4 tax form with Tyler's name on it. No handwriting expert was called to testify.
Tyler challenged the evidence on multiple points. He denied sending the emails attributed to him. He testified he had not set foot on church property since the protective order was signed. He said there had been no incidents or confrontations since the order expired on March 31, and that he ran into Shepard at a Chick-fil-A on June 6 without any confrontation.
Tyler called Sandra L. Martinez David, a West Baton Rouge Parish employee, as a witness. She testified that 12 people were prepared to say they left the church for reasons unrelated to Tyler.
Between 12 and 13 people attended the hearing in support of Tyler.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Lurry denied the Rule for Contempt. The ruling was signed July 20 and filed the following day.
Two more petitions filed and dismissed
Court records show Shepard filed two additional protective order petitions on June 11, 2026, both through Willis and both assigned to Judge Lurry.
One petition, C-1051275, named David as the defendant. In it, Shepard alleged David had called the Louisiana Baptist Children's Home from her workplace requesting financial records about the church. He also alleged she contacted parishioners to share information about the Tyler case, citing Tyler's docket number directly in the petition. Willis filed a judgment of dismissal himself on June 12, one day after filing. David was never served.
A second petition filed the same day against another individual alleged similar conduct, including attending public government meetings and raising concerns about church finances and safety. That case was also dismissed within days, and the defendant was never served.
Neither case proceeded to a hearing on the merits.
What's next
Willis did not respond to a request for comment sent to Taylor Porter.
Willis objected to the ruling on the record. A Judgment Review Status Conference is scheduled for August 10, 2026 at 1:00 PM before Judge Lurry.
WBR Independent will continue to report as this case develops.
Court documents referenced in this article are available below, including the full exhibit package filed into evidence. All documents filed with the court are public record. Email addresses and personal contact information have been redacted from court exhibits. All names remain as they appear in the public court record. The defendant's name in one dismissed petition has been redacted as that individual did not testify in court.
If you or someone you know needs help:
SBC Abuse Response Helpline — 833-611-4357 (24/7) sbcabuseprevention.com
RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline — 1-800-656-4673 (24/7) rainn.org
Louisiana Baptists Sexual Abuse Response Resources louisianabaptists.org/resources/sexual-abuse-response-resources/
Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge bagbr.org
You are not alone.
C-1049494 Case File Complete1 by wbrindependent
Church Addis Evidence Bundle by wbrindependent
C-1051275 David Petition by wbrindependent
C C 1051276 Petition Redacted by wbrindependent