Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Louisiana Bureau of Investigation arrested Joel Lyons Jr., a 32-year-old resident of Northland Drive in Chauvin, on April 28 following allegations involving child sexual abuse material and sexual abuse of an animal.
The arrest came after special agents received several Cybertips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which indicated that Lyons distributed child sexual abuse material through social media applications. Agents obtained an arrest warrant and located Lyons in Galliano, Louisiana. He was booked into the South Lafourche Substation before being transferred to the Terrebonne Parish Criminal Justice Complex. His bond has been set at $225,000.
Lyons faces 20 counts under RS 14:81.1E(5)(a) for distribution of child sexual abuse material involving victims under the age of 13, as well as 14 counts under RS 14:89.3 for sexual abuse of an animal. The investigation was conducted jointly with Homeland Security Investigations, Port Fourchon Harbor Police, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The Louisiana Supreme Court serves citizens across Louisiana by providing administrative oversight to all courts within the state’s unified judicial system according to its official website. The court is led by a Chief Justice among seven elected justices and is responsible for maintaining judicial integrity while fostering public trust according to its official website. It also supports initiatives aimed at improving access to justice and tackling societal issues such as truancy according to its official website.
Established in 1813 for its first session, the Louisiana Supreme Court remains the highest appellate court in Louisiana overseeing appeals and ensuring legal standards are upheld throughout the state according to its official website.
Authorities say that all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation into this case is ongoing.
