Lake Charles, Louisiana – Authorities in Calcasieu Parish have arrested an Illinois man charged with inappropriate online contact with a juvenile in Louisiana.

Patrick T. Cantwell, 29, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois, was extradited to Louisiana on March 18 following an investigation that began in January. Cantwell, a registered sex offender in Illinois, allegedly engaged in sexual conversations with a minor from Calcasieu Parish over the social media platform Snapchat.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Special Victims Unit (SVU) led the investigation with assistance from the Pike County Sheriff's Office in Illinois. After identifying Cantwell as the suspect, detectives obtained an arrest warrant on February 20. He was initially apprehended by authorities in Pike County before being transferred to Louisiana.

Upon arrival in Louisiana, Cantwell was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with indecent behavior with juveniles. Judge Tony Fazzio set his bond at $500,000.

In addition to the Louisiana charge, Cantwell faces multiple charges in Pike County, Illinois, including failing to register as a sex offender, providing false information as a sex offender, and obstructing justice.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office identified Detective Elizabeth Ivey as the lead investigator in the case.

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