LAPLACE — A local man is facing numerous charges, including distribution of child pornography, following his arrest last week in a statewide investigation led by Louisiana State Police.

Steven Paul Lucia, 30, of LaPlace was arrested Friday following the execution of a search warrant at his residence.

Detectives with the Louisiana State Police New Orleans Field Office, with the assistance of the Louisiana Department of Justice, United States Office of Homeland Security and St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office executed the search.

State Police said the search resulted in Lucia’s arrest for distribution of child pornography and possession of marijuana. Furthermore, Lucia was arrested for contempt of court warrants in St. John and Terrebonne Parishes.

Detectives assigned to the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit arrested Lucia and two others last week in the culmination of three separate statewide investigations focusing on the production and distribution of child pornography in Louisiana.

The arrests, according to State Police, led to the largest seizure of child pornography by the Louisiana State Police to date, totaling more than 1 million illicit files seized. During the course of the search warrants, Troopers seized more than 800 DVDs, 13 portable storage devices, numerous cell phones and multiple laptop computers.

The electronic devices all contained lewd and lascivious pornographic images and videos of children. Within the seized files, Troopers discovered videos that depicted the rape of infant children.

“We created the Special Victims Unit for exactly this purpose with a focus on rescuing victims and targeting perpetrators of crimes involving the exploitation of children and the trafficking of humans for sex or labor,” said Colonel Mike Edmonson, State Police Superintendent. “The Louisiana State Police will employ all available investigative resources and will remain vigilant as long as individuals choose to possess, distribute, and promote child pornography.

“This is a team effort as we continue to partner with law enforcement agencies across the state to bring these criminals to justice.”

Louisiana State Police encourage anyone with any additional information pertaining to their investigations to contact the Louisiana State Police at 318-484-2194.