A River Ridge man is behind bars after state investigators say a cyber tip led them to child sexual abuse material and evidence of sexual abuse of an animal inside his home. Joseph Scott Warren, 45, of Tallulah Avenue in River Ridge, was arrested March 24 and is facing seven counts of child sexual abuse material and nine counts of sexual abuse of an animal. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation says the case started with a report sent to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and Warren was booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center. Officials did not publicly release bond information.
Details From The Attorney General's Office
According to the Louisiana Office of the Attorney General, agents with Attorney General Liz Murrill's Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested Warren under La. R.S. 14:81.1 and 14:89.3 as part of the newly created Orleans Metro ICAC Task Force. The notice credits the LBI Cyber Crimes Unit along with a lineup of partner agencies, including the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Kenner Police Department, the Gretna Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations and the LBI/LSP Fugitive Apprehension Unit. The Attorney General's office says the investigation is still active.
How The Investigation Unfolded
The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office later reposted the LBI announcement on its official Facebook page, echoing the details of the arrest and publicly thanking the assisting agencies. In that repost, officials note that agents first received a tip routed to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which set the cyber crimes investigation in motion.
What The Charges Mean
Warren is charged with seven counts under La. R.S. 14:81.1, the state law that covers child sexual abuse material, and nine counts under La. R.S. 14:89.3, which prohibits sexual contact with animals. La. R.S. 14:81.1 makes the production, distribution or possession of child sexual abuse material a felony that carries heavy fines and the possibility of decades in prison, with tougher penalties when a victim is under 13, according to the statute text. La. R.S. 14:89.3 criminalizes sexual contact with animals and allows for jail or prison time and fines for first-time offenders, with increased penalties and mandatory restrictions after conviction for repeat offenders, per the Louisiana legislature.
What Happens Next
Warren remains booked at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center, and the Attorney General's release lists no bond amount while emphasizing that the investigation is ongoing. The office also noted that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Anyone with information about suspected child sexual exploitation is urged to report it to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline.
