Two Acadiana men were arrested as part of a multi-state sting operation resulting in 10 people accused of computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
Malcolm Barnes III, 35, a minister from New Iberia, and Shelton Smith, 24, of Scott, were arrested for alleged indecent behavior and computer-aided solicitation of a minor, according to an announcement from the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The arrests came as a result of an undercover sting operation conducted by Attorney General Liz Murrill’s office and Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon over two days last week that was dubbed “Operation Bottom Dweller.”
Barnes, according to his LinkedIn profile, is CEO and founder of Soul Winners Kingdom Warriors Youth Outreach Ministries in New Iberia and was released on $150,000. In 2024, he was arrested for prior charges involving indecent behavior and computer-aided solicitation of a minor, reports show.
Other agencies involved in the effort were the Berwick Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, Morgan City Police Department, St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
