A 30-year-old Reserve man is in the St. John the Baptist Parish jail after he approached a 15-year-old boy outside of a LaPlace store on Monday (Dec. 16) evening and propositioned him for sex in exchange for money.
The boy reported the incident to an off-duty St. John Sheriff’s Office deputy who happened to be nearby. Additional deputies arrived on scene and arrested the man, identified as David L. Sheppard.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. in the 1800 block of West Airline Highway.
“We are asking parents to remind their children to please be mindful of their surroundings and careful when they are approached by strangers,” Sheriff Mike Tregre said. “Fortunately this child was able to distance himself and immediately asked for help from a police officer.”
Sheppard has been booked with soliciting for prostitutes and indecent behavior with juveniles (felony). He is being held in the parish jail under a $105,000 bond.
The incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident or other similar incidents involving Sheppard is asked to call St. John Sheriff’s Office Det. Myaka Lane at (985) 212-7536.