Sulphur, LA — A Sulphur man faces multiple charges, including indecent behavior with a juvenile, after authorities reportedly discovered inappropriate text messages between him and a girl under 16 years of age.
Austin P. Anderson, 30, of Sulphur, Louisiana, was arrested on April 21 after an investigation that began in February when Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office (CPSO) Warrants Division deputies found a juvenile in his residence while executing an unrelated arrest warrant.
According to the sheriff's office, deputies became concerned when they noticed inconsistencies in statements provided by both Anderson and the girl during the February 10 encounter. The juvenile was released to her mother's custody while deputies continued their investigation.
Authorities later discovered an anonymous tip had previously been submitted to CPSO about a possible inappropriate relationship between Anderson and the same girl. This prompted detectives to obtain a search warrant for the victim's phone.
A forensic review of the device revealed numerous text messages between Anderson and the minor that confirmed his awareness of her age, the sheriff's office reported. Some messages were sexual in nature, while others showed Anderson requesting the victim to purchase marijuana for them.
On April 10, CPSO detectives secured an arrest warrant for Anderson, signed by Judge Tony Fazzio. Eleven days later, deputies located Anderson, who allegedly attempted to evade arrest by providing a false name.
"While attempting to take him into custody, Anderson resisted deputies by pulling away and refusing to comply with commands," the sheriff's office stated.
Anderson was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, resisting an officer, and resisting by refusal to identify. His bond was set at $169,000.
CPSO Special Victims Unit Detective Eric Perry is leading the investigation.
Louisiana law defines indecent behavior with a juvenile as any lewd or lascivious act upon a child under 17 years old, with the intention of arousing sexual desires. The charge carries significant penalties, including potential prison time and sex offender registration requirements.
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.