Livingston, Louisiana - A multi-agency investigation led to the arrest of a Louisiana man in an out-of-state child exploitation case.
On the 6th of September 2023, authorities from various agencies; including the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit, Homeland Security Investigations from the HSI-Baton Rouge Office, together with officers from both the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office and the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, began probing into child exploitation allegations arising in Livingston, Louisiana. As the inquiry progressed, Jesus Delacruz, 19, of Livingston, Louisiana was apprehended in connection with the case.
Inquiries by the Special Victims Unit of the Louisiana State Police led to information about a missing teenager from Pennsylvania, who was believed to have been taken to Livingston. After conducting investigations, Delacruz was identified as a suspect and a search warrant for his home was acquired. While executing the warrant, investigators found a 14-year-old girl who had been reported missing from Allentown, Pennsylvania in his dwelling.
Following the investigation, Delacruz was taken into custody and imprisoned in the Livingston Parish Detention Center. He is being charged with multiple offenses including second-degree kidnapping, sexual battery, sexual oral battery, using a computer to solicit a minor, and indecent behavior with a minor.
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.
The LSP Special Victims Unit dedicates its efforts to saving victims from child exploitation and human trafficking for sexual or labor purposes and strives for justice. Public participation crucially contributes to the identification of felons involved in these crimes, and reporting of any criminal or suspicious activities is highly encouraged. The Louisiana State Police has a confidential, online reporting system in place for public use. It consists of a form, which upon submission, reaches the respective investigators. The form can be found at http://la-safe.org/ by clicking on the link labeled "Suspicious Activity".