Alleged Online Predators Arrested in Metro N.O.

By Anonymous

Attorney General Charles Foti Jr. announced four more suspected online predators were arrested this week, including three from the New Orleans metro region.

— Undercover operations in Monroe and Baton Rouge arrested Joshua Reagan of Sandy Hook, Miss., after he allegedly contacted who he believed to be a 15-year-old female for sexual purposes on multiple occasions. Reagan was identified by agents with the Kenner Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce, arrested Oct. 5 and booked into the Ouachita Parish Correction Center on charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile, pornography involving juveniles, and computer aided solicitation of a minor.

— Jeffrey Alain Boone, 1101 Michael St., New Orleans, was arrested after agents seized several computers at the residence. Boone allegedly admitted to downloading and possessing child pornography and transmitting child pornography through the internet to individuals he believed to be as young as 14 years old. Using the screen name young_girls_r_yummy, Boone allegedly contacted a 14- year-old female, discussed several sexual activities and arranged to meet the juvenile for sex. Boone was arrested Oct. 2 and booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of pornography involving juveniles, indecent behavior with a juvenile, and computer aided solicitation of a minor.

— The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office investigated complaints a subject was pursuing juvenile females online for sexual purposes and marriage. Stefan Schoellman of Metairie was arrested Oct. 4 with the help from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. Schoellman was placed in the St. Charles Parish Prison on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles, computer aided solicitation of a minor, public intimidation, and cyber stalking.

— The Hammond Police Department arrested Michael Lee Michel of Prairieville for allegedly chatting online with a presumed 15-year- old female about having sex with her. He was arrested Oct. 9 at home on a felony warrant issued by Hammond Police and charged with computer aided solicitation of a minor. He was taken to the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s jail awaiting extradition to Tangipahoa Parish.

Each count of computer aided solicitation and pornography involving juveniles carries a possible sentence of imprisonment at hard labor for not less than two years or more than 10 years.

Each count of indecent behavior with a juvenile carries a possible sentence of imprisonment at hard labor for not less than two nor more than 25 years. Prison terms may be served concurrently or consecutively and require the accused to register as a sex offender.

Call the Attorney General’s High Technology Crime Unit at (800) 256-4506 to report computer-related crime.

Credit: CityBusiness Staff Report

(Copyright 2007 Dolan Media Newswires)

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