30-Year-Old Louisiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting a Woman He Met Through a Dating App

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Published January 19, 2023

30-Year-Old Louisiana Man Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting a Woman He Met Through a Dating App

Lafourche Parish, Louisiana – A 30-year-old Louisiana man has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman he met through the Tinder dating app. He faces charges of sexual and oral battery and has been released on bail with an order to stay away from the victim.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre announced the arrest of a Thibodaux, Louisiana man on January 18, 2023, for allegedly forcing himself on a woman he met through an online dating app. Shane Chelette, 30, of Thibodaux, Louisiana, faces sexual battery and oral sexual battery charges.

Deputies responded to the initial complaint by a Lockport, Louisiana woman on January 5, 2023. She reportedly met Chelette on the Tinder dating app in late December 2022 and had a few conversations. The woman agreed to meet Chelette for lunch on January 5. Chelette began making unwanted advances to the woman who had repeatedly told him to stop after some time at the residence. Before leaving the home, Chelette allegedly committed sexual battery and oral sexual battery on the woman. Following an investigation, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Chelette.

Chelette was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex in Thibodaux, Louisiana on January 13, 2023. He was charged with both sexual battery and oral sexual battery. He was later released the same day after posting bail in the amount of $2,000. He has also been ordered not to go near the victim.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff Webre provided the following safety tips for anyone who uses online dating apps or websites to keep in mind:

  • Search for the person on a search engine and social media to see if you find anything concerning;
  • Always meet in a public place and always bring your phone;
  • Be sure to leave the person’s name with a trusted friend or family member;
  • Always have your own method of transportation in case something feels strange and you need to leave; and
  • Never share intimate photos with anyone electronically, especially someone you’ve never met.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.