Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill announced the arrest of three men as part of a joint online child exploitation operation conducted with multiple law enforcement agencies across Northwest Louisiana.
The operation, hosted by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, targeted individuals using online and social media platforms to seek minors for sexual activity. According to authorities, the suspects were communicating with juveniles online when they were identified by law enforcement and later taken into custody.
Participating agencies included the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Shreveport Police Department.
Those arrested include:
• Edwin Roberts II, 35 of Hwy. 6 East in Natchitoches, charged with one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile (La. R.S. 14:81) and one count of computer-aided solicitation of a minor (La. R.S. 14:81.3).
• Garrett Godejohn, 24 of Hwy. 6 East in Natchitoches, charged with one count of possession of child sexual abuse material (La. R.S. 14:81.1) and one count of sexual abuse of an animal (La. R.S. 14:89.3).
• David Lee Clark, 35 of Peyton Street in Shreveport, charged with one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile (La. R.S. 14:81) and one count of computer-aided solicitation of a minor (La. R.S. 14:81.3).
The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Roberts and Godejohn, who authorities said lived together. Both were booked into the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center. Bond information was not immediately available.
The Shreveport Police Department arrested Clark, who was booked into the Shreveport City Jail. His bond was also unknown at the time of release.
Murrill said her office will continue conducting proactive operations with partners on the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to identify and arrest individuals seeking to exploit minors. She thanked participating agencies for their cooperation and efforts.
Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright said the safety of children remains a top priority for his office and emphasized that deputies will continue to aggressively pursue those who attempt to exploit minors.
During the operation, NPSO deputies also conducted a traffic stop on Front Street in Natchitoches that resulted in the seizure of suspected ecstasy, marijuana and alcoholic beverages. Two adult males and one adult female were arrested on drug charges. Two children were in the vehicle at the time.
Additional charges are anticipated. The investigation remains ongoing.
All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
