ASSUMPTION PARISH, La. (WAFB) – Ten suspected child predators from multiple states have been identified and arrested as part of a proactive undercover operation in Assumption Parish, officials said.
According to La. Attorney General Liz Murrill, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon and her office hosted “Operation Bottom Dweller” from Aug. 26-28, where they identified, investigated, and apprehended individuals who use electronic communications or internet-based platforms to solicit, entice, or attempt to exploit individuals they believe to be juveniles for sexual purposes.
“This was never what the internet was intended for, and these violators have no mercy on whose children they target,” Sheriff Leland Falcon said. “Today, tomorrow, or in the future, it could be any of our children -i.e., yours, mine, our friends, or neighbors. We will continue to vigorously pursue these individuals and send them to prison where they can never again harm a child.”
The operation led to 10 arrests, which officials say include a minister, a Honduran man who had previously been removed from the United States, and a fugitive.
According to officials, the 10 suspects arrested are charged with indecent behavior and computer-aided solicitation of a minor.
Delmer Wesley Messer, Shelton Smith, John Bang, Lesli Joel Calix Sarmiento, Malcome Barnes III, Dustin H Caldwell, Chaz Michael Fromnethal.(La. Attorney General’s Office)
Arrests
- Brian Gilton, 38, of Napoleonville
- Joey Gravois, 52, of Vacherie
- Jack Stutsman, 22, of Haughton
- Delmer Wesley Messer, 24, of Manchester, Ky.
- Shelton Smith, 24, of Scott
- John Bang, 60, of Vancleave, Miss.
- Lesli Joel Calix Sarmiento, 36, of Slidell
- Malcome Barnes III, 35, of New Iberia
- Dustin H Caldwell, 47, of Cocoa, Fla.
- Chaz Michael Fromnethal, 32, of Metairie
More Details
The La. Attorney General’s Office has released additional details about some of the arrests.
According to the attorney general’s office, Sarmiento was an unlawfully present Honduran national who had previously been removed from the United States.
Officials said Sarmiento arrived in Assumption Parish for the purpose of having sex with someone he reasonably believed to be under the age of 16.
Barnes, a minister from New Iberia, is currently out on a $150,000 bond through the 16th JDC in St. Mary Parish on prior charges of indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor, according to the district attorney’s office.
Officials said Fromnethal was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center as a fugitive and was also charged with the illegal possession of a stolen firearm.
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