A Florida man is sitting in a Brevard County jail after Louisiana authorities say he uploaded child sexual abuse material tied to a Marrero investigation, according to Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill. Investigators identified the suspect as 58-year-old Sean Patrick Coats of Waterloo, Florida. He was arrested on April 15 and is awaiting extradition to Jefferson Parish.
How investigators say they tracked him
According to a press release cited by WGNO, the case started with cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Those tips led agents to digital files that investigators allege were uploaded by Coats.
The probe quickly turned into a multi-agency effort. The Louisiana Bureau of Investigation's Child Exploitation and Cyber Crime Unit worked the case alongside the agency's Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office, Homeland Security Investigations and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office.
Charges and booking
State officials say Coats was taken into custody after an arrest warrant was obtained on April 15. He was then booked into the Brevard County Jail, where he is being held pending extradition to Louisiana.
He faces eight counts related to child sexual abuse material, according to reporting from AOL.
What is next
Once Coats is transferred to Jefferson Parish, local prosecutors will decide whether to file formal charges, Murrill's office said. The investigation is still active.
Authorities have not released any information about alleged victims. Officials have asked anyone with relevant information to contact investigators, as noted by WGNO.
