BATON ROUGE — Multiple law enforcement agencies have arrested a 21-year-old man accused of sexually exploiting children following an investigation that began earlier this year.
The Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office launched the investigation in January 2026 after receiving a tip related to child exploitation.
MORE: State Police arrest Slidell man on child exploitation charge
Javier Mendoza Valiente, 21, was identified during the investigation and later arrested. Law enforcement officials said Valiente is a Mexican national and is in the United States illegally.
Investigators said the operation focused on identifying individuals using social media platforms to exploit minors. During the operation, officials allege Valiente engaged in sexually explicit conversations with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old child.
Valiente was arrested on Feb. 9 and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. He is charged with computer-aided solicitation of a minor and indecent behavior with a juvenile.
According to Louisiana State Police, the Special Victims Unit investigates crimes involving the sexual exploitation of children and human trafficking through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as public education efforts. Authorities encourage the public to report suspected criminal activity. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by selecting “Suspicious Activity” option.
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