Mississippi Correctional Officer Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges Following Covington Investigation

Mississippi Correctional Officer Arrested on Child Exploitation Charges Following Covington Investigation

A Mississippi correctional officer has been arrested and extradited to Louisiana following a child exploitation investigation conducted by the Covington Police Department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit.

Ryan Donivan Lich, 28, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was arrested and charged with three felony offenses:

• Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile

• Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile / Child Grooming

• Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

According to authorities, the investigation was led by the Covington Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division through its ICAC Unit in partnership with the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit Task Force and the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.

At the time of his arrest, Lich was employed as a correctional officer with the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office in Mississippi. Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims confirmed that Lich was terminated from his position upon his arrest.

Authorities said Lich was taken into custody as he was reporting for work and clocking in for his shift. He was initially booked into the Lamar County Jail before being extradited to Louisiana to face the charges.

Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell condemned the alleged conduct and emphasized that law enforcement officers are held to the same standards as everyone else.

“It is always disheartening when we have to arrest someone who wears a badge and has taken an oath to protect and serve,” Ferrell said. “No title, no badge, and no uniform places anyone above the law.”

The Covington Police Department credited multiple agencies for assisting in the investigation and arrest, including the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office, Lamar County Sheriff’s Office, Mississippi Attorney General’s Office, and the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit Task Force.

The case remains under investigation.

Related Stories

Covington Police: Missing Teen Jeremi Lee Brock Jr. Found Safe

Covington Man Booked On Multiple Charges Involving Alleged Crimes Against Juveniles

New Orleans Man Facing Child Exploitation Charges After Traveling To Meet Who He Believed Was A Minor

Covington Man Arrested on Multiple Child Sex Crime Charges

Trending Now

1. 1Update: Power has been restored.
2. 2Northshore Community Mourns Loss of Respected Realtor Yvette Catoire Sehon
3. 3Louisiana Sheriff Warns Parents About Threatening “Cat In The Hat” TikTok Reel
4. 4Louisiana Sheriff Warns Parents About Threatening “Cat In The Hat” TikTok Reel
5. 5Louisiana Sheriff Warns Parents About Threatening “Cat In The Hat” TikTok Reel