By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a Garyville man wanted on multiple arrest warrants in the parish.

Renel Joseph, 46, is wanted on sexual battery, molestation of a juvenile, second-degree battery and second-degree cruelty to a juvenile charges in connection with a pair of unrelated incidents last week, said Capt. Dane Clement, public information officer for the St. John Sheriff’s Office.

Clement said the first incident occurred Oct. 22 in Reserve, when Joseph was involved in a physical altercation with his girlfriend and her son. The two victims suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene, Clement said.

Two days later on Oct. 24, Joseph was accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in LaPlace. Clement said details of that case were not immediately available.

Joseph’s last known address was in Garyville, but he was in the LaPlace area recently. Clement said authorities have had trouble locating him in the area.

Any one knowing the whereabouts of Renel Joseph is asked to call St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office at 985-359-8769, Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111, or dial 911.