LAFAYETTE, La. – In a disturbing case of child exploitation, Charles Dirk Lafleur, 56, of Ville Platte, Louisiana was sentenced to 78 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for possession of child pornography.
The charges in this case stem from an investigation by an agent with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit after a Cyber Tip Line Report was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The report identified the upload of an image containing child pornography to a Microsoft OneDrive account and identified the unique user information associated with that account.
The investigation revealed that the image did in fact contain child pornography and a search warrant was obtained for the Microsoft OneDrive account. The search warrant identified the account user as Lafleur. After further investigation, another search warrant was obtained for Lafleur’s residence and was executed by law enforcement agents on November 7, 2018.
Agents recovered eight of Lafleur’s electronic devices, which were analyzed and found to contain images and videos depicting child pornography, including depictions of pornography involving prepubescent minors under 12 years of age. Lafleur was charged and pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography on October 12, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crimes Unit and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
In a separate and unrelated case, Nathan Zenon, Jr., 39, of Youngsville was sentenced to 68 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, for illegal possession of a firearm.
On May 10, 2017, deputies with the Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office observed Zenon enter a residence in Youngsville and attempted to serve him with an outstanding arrest warrant at the residence. After his arrest, Zenon admitted to deputies that he had marijuana in his vehicle and gave consent to search.
Deputies recovered two small bags of marijuana, a digital scale, and a magazine for a .45 caliber firearm loaded with six rounds of ammunition. A search warrant was obtained to search the residence and inside deputies found a loaded Springfield 9mm pistol in the bedroom. A DNA analysis confirmed that Zenon could not be excluded as a contributor to the firearm.
An agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) tested the firearm and found it to be functional and manufactured in Croatia and imported via Illinois, thus having been transported in interstate commerce. Zenon has prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana (2006), and knew he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.
Zenon pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on November 7, 2022. The case was investigated by the ATF and Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig R. Bordelon.
Related Federal Cases
- Blake Joseph Steiner, Distributing Child Porn, Louisiana 2024 · Illinois
- James Johnson, Child Sex Trafficking, Louisiana 2022 · Illinois
- Billy Wayne Johnson, Child Pornography, Texas 2013 · Illinois
- Jeremy Daniel Labrec, Child Pornography, Texas 2011 · New York
- Tracey Lynn Bautista, Receipt of Child Pornography, Texas 2017 · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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