ICE HSI arrests former Louisiana deputy, firefighter for child exploitation
NEW ORLEANS – A former Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy and a Lafourche Parish Fire
Department volunteer firefighter were arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New Orleans May 20 on child exploitation charges.
Former deputy Phillip Guidry, 35, of Houma was dismissed from his position following his arrest by HSI on 20 counts of possession of child pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13.
The arrest was a result of a joint investigation by HSI Houma, the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Cyber Crime Unit, the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office, and the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office. Guidry was booked into the Terrebonne Parish Jail following his arrest.
“Working alongside our law enforcement partners, Homeland Security Investigations is deeply committed to protecting our children and communities from these horrific crimes of exploitation,” said Jere T. Miles, special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. “Those who betray their position of trust are no exceptions.”
Volunteer firefighter William Michael Chiasson, 47, of Thibodaux, was arrested on 60 counts of possession of child pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13. He was booked into the Lafourche Parish Jail.
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 19,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI's Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
Updated: