By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — A LaPlace man was arrested on June 8 involving child pornography, after a week-long investigation and a tip given to the Attorney General’s Special Unit, ICAC.

ICAC stands for Internet Crimes Against Children and is a task force providing public education about Internet safety, investigates Internet-based child exploitation crimes, and provides computer forensic expertise to law enforcement agencies all over Louisiana, according to the Attorney General Charles Foti’s website.

According to the Attorney General’s office, after receiving a tip that a LaPlace man named Charles E. Watkins, 60, was active in Internet pornography involving children, he was arrested.

“We were notified by the Attorney General’s office to assist for a search warrant at the address,” said Public Information Officer Mike Tregre of the St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff Office. “We went over there and made entry, but he wasn’t there. We later located him at work.”

Tregre said they brought Watkins back to the residence, and the officials explained to him why they were there.

“He cooperated with us,” Tregre said. “He showed what websites he was visiting and what he was looking at. His computer was seized and still under investigation.”

According to Tregre, Watkins was arrested and booked accordingly. A bond was set at $100,000 by ad-hoc Judge Ruche Marino, but was later released by a personal surety.

Watkins is currently on house arrest, until his court date set for Aug. 1, Tregre said.