22 Arrested in Ongoing Child Predator Operation Led by Covington Police

22 Arrested in Ongoing Child Predator Operation Led by Covington Police

COVINGTON — The Covington Police Department announced that 22 individuals have been arrested since January 2026 as part of an ongoing child predator operation conducted by the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit.

The operation was conducted in conjunction with the Covington Police Department’s Special Response Team and the 22nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office Special Victims Unit Task Force.

Authorities said the operation targeted individuals accused of using computers and social media platforms to solicit, groom, and exploit minors. Those arrested ranged in age from 20 to 69 and came from across Louisiana and Mississippi. One of those arrested was a registered sex offender at the time of his arrest.

The individuals arrested are listed below by city.

Slidell, LA

Ralph Seibel, 58

Charges: Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Child Grooming

Joseph Bowen, 25

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Covington, LA

Emanuel Hill, 20

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

Lewis Peacock, 47

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Child Grooming

Raymond Keitt, 45

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

Gabriel Aysen, 22

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

Dustin Fernandez, 35

Charges: Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material

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Madisonville, LA

Waylon Byers, 38

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Attempted Production/Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Folsom, LA

Taylor Tassin, 30

Charges: 14 Counts of Pornography Involving Children Under the Age of 13, Pornography Involving Juveniles

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Ball, LA

Adrien Arabie, 31

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Child Grooming

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Loranger, LA

James Granier, 41

Charges: Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Attempted Production/Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles, Resisting an Officer

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Baton Rouge, LA

Chace Cullen, 41

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Production/Possession of Pornography Involving Juveniles

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New Orleans, LA

Jakoby Pettway, 25

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Harvey, LA

Jhameil Chambers, 30

Charges: 2 Counts Each of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Ponchatoula, LA

Joshua Stankey, 31

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Lafayette, LA

Andrew Thibodeaux, 34

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Livingston, LA

Spencer Walker, 44

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Unlawful Use or Access of Social Media

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Tickfaw, LA

Joseph DiBenedetto, 69

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Amite, LA

Kolt Alan Johnson, 26

Charges: Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile, Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Pass Christian, MS

Joseph Amacker, 38

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming

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Diamondhead, MS

Adam Wichers, 41

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

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Hattiesburg, MS

James Howard, 30

Charges: 3 Counts Each of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles/Child Grooming, Attempted Production/Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material, Computer Aided Solicitation of a Minor

The Covington Police Department said the operation remains ongoing.

Agencies assisting with the operation included the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, United States Secret Service, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office, Franklinton Police Department, and Slidell Police Department.

Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell said the arrests are the result of dedicated work by ICAC investigators, the Special Response Team, and partner agencies.

“Protecting the children of our community is not just a priority for this department, it is a promise,” Ferrell said.

A criminal charge is an accusation. All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.