LAPLACE – Authorities in St. John apprehended a LaPlace man for possession of child pornography and his alleged ties to web sites featuring images of juveniles engaged in sexual activity, said a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office.
Maj. Mike Tregre, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office, said the arrest of 63-year-old Gary Hickman, which took place November 24, was the culmination of a two-and-a-half year investigation that involved agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office and the state attorney general’s office.
 Gary Hickman |
Tregre said Hickman also voluntarily gave agents evidence that linked himself to child pornography websites that have been under investigation by several federal agencies. Hickman was arrested on site and booked into the Sherman Walker Correctional Facility in LaPlace on charges of possession of pornography involving juveniles. He has since been released after posting bond, set at $25,000 by District Court Judge Mary Hotard Becnel.
“This arrest is another reminder that the Saint John Parish Sheriff’s Office will continually work with it’s partners in law enforcement to protect our children by identifying and arresting anyone that tries to hide behind a computer and exploit children,” said St. John Sheriff Wayne Jones in a statement following the arrest.
Comments
Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The L'Observateur is not liable for messages from third parties.
DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in The L'Observateur reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of L'Observateur. L'Observateur does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized L'Observateur spokespersons.
Thank you for your comments!