Lake Charles, Louisiana - The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office has arrested an 18-year-old Lake Charles man following an investigation into alleged inappropriate contact with a juvenile under the age of 15.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Special Victims Unit (SVU) detectives received a complaint on November 17 regarding possible sexual misconduct involving a juvenile. The Special Victims Unit typically investigates cases that involve vulnerable victims, including children and victims of sexual offenses.
During the course of the investigation, detectives were advised that the suspect, identified as Waylon D. Istre, 18, of Lake Charles, had been involved in a sexual relationship with a victim younger than 15 years old.
On November 20, investigators interviewed Istre in connection with the case. Following that interview, deputies arrested him and booked him into the Calcasieu Correctional Center.
Istre is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile. Judge Bobby Holmes set Istre’s bond at $50,000.
Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office officials identified SVU Detective Sonny Schiro as the lead investigator on the case.
No further details about the victim or the nature of the alleged relationship have been released, consistent with common practices to protect the identity and privacy of juveniles in sex crime investigations.
Authorities did not immediately release information on future court dates or whether additional charges might be considered.
As with all criminal cases, the charge is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation remains ongoing under the direction of the Special Victims Unit.