“OPERATION BOTTOM DWELLER”
“OPERATION BOTTOM DWELLER”
NEWS RELEASE
September 2, 2026
10 Child Predators Arrested in “Operation Bottom Dweller”
Napoleonville, LA — From August 26–28, 2026, Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon and Attorney General Liz Murrill hosted a proactive undercover online operation, dubbed “Operation Bottom Dweller,” aimed at identifying, investigating, and apprehending individuals who use electronic communications or internet-based platforms to solicit, entice, or attempt to exploit individuals they believe to be juveniles for sexual purposes.
“This was never what the internet was intended for, and these violators have no mercy on who’s children they target. Today, tomorrow, or in the future, it could be any of our children -i.e., yours, mine, our friends, or neighbors. We will continue to vigorously pursue these individuals and send them to prison where they can never again harm a child,” said Sheriff Leland Falcon.
The operation conducted in Assumption Parish has resulted in the identification and arrest of suspects across multiple states. Notable arrests include:
Lesli Joel Calix Sarmiento, an unlawfully present Honduran national who had previously been removed from the United States and who arrived in Assumption Parish for the purpose of having sexual intercourse with someone he reasonably believed to be under the age of 16.
Malcolm Barnes III, a minister from New Iberia, who is currently out on a $150,000.00 bond through the 16th JDC (St. Mary Parish) on prior charges of Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile and Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor.
Chaz Fromnethal, booked into the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center as a fugitive, was also charged with the illegal possession of a stolen firearm.
“Partnerships work! Together with our amazing sheriffs and law enforcement officers across the state, the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force takes the fight to child predators. Those who would hurt our most innocent will face Louisiana justice,” said AG Liz Murrill.
Since assuming office, the Attorney General has increased the size of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force from eight law enforcement members to 80, including all 64 parish sheriffs and multiple local, state, and federal partners. During that time, the Task Force has made more than 1,300 arrests and rescued nearly 200 child victims from ongoing abuse.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the agencies involved in operation “Bottom Dweller.” I am extremely proud of the men and women of the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and all the supporting agencies who worked so hard to see this mission to a successful conclusion. The Louisiana Attorney General’s ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Unit is serving as a major asset in combating the fastest growing criminal enterprise which targets children for sexual exploitation and trafficking purposes.,” continued Sheriff Leland Falcon.
Agencies Involved in the operation
· Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Office of the Attorney General (Louisiana Bureau of Investigation)
· Berwick Police Department
· Homeland Security Investigations
· Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Morgan City Police Department
· St. James Parish Sheriff’s Office
· St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office,
Agencies that assisted in apprehending suspects:
· Office of the Attorney General (Fugitive Apprehension Unit)
· Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office
· Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (Mississippi)
· Clay County Sheriff’s Office (Kentucky)
· Brevard County Sheriff’s Office (Florida)
*Special thanks to Livingston Parish Sheriff Jason Ard and his ICAC Unit for providing training and assistance on behalf of Louisiana ICAC*
Name (Race/Sex):Brian Gilton W/M
Date of Birth (AGE):10/13/198755 (38)
Address:123 Louis Lane, Napoleonville, LA
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond set: $110,000.
Name (Race/Sex): Joey Gravois W/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 12/21/1973 (52)
Address: 19415 Cedar St., Vacherie, LA
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond set: $850,000.
Name (Race/Sex): Jack Stutsman W/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 07/30/2004 (22)
Address: 207 Dart Dr. Haughton, LA 71037
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond set: $750,000.
Name (Race/Sex): Delmer Wesley Messer W/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 10/01/2001 (24)
Address: 2360 Mill Creek Dr., Manchester, KY 40962
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond pending
Name (Race/Sex): Shelton Smith W/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 12/11/2001 (24)
Address: 181 Louis Baer Rd Scott, LA 70583
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond set: $750,000.
Name (Race/Sex): John Bang W/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 06/30/1966
Address: 10605 Stream Water Vancleave, MS 39565
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond pending
Name (Race/Sex): Lesli Joel Calix Sarmiento
Date of Birth (AGE): February 3, 1990
Address: 100 Kilgore Road, Slidell, LA 70461
Charges:
1 Count- LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
1 Count- LA R.S 14:81. 3 Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor
Detainer- Homeland Security Investigations
Bond set: $450,000.
Name (Race/Sex): Malcome Barnes III B/M
Date of Birth (AGE): 11/30/1990 (35)
Address: 715 Orange Grove Drive, New Iberia, LA 70560
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer Aided Solicitation of a minor
Bond set: $1,250,000.
Name (Race/Sex): Dustin H Caldwell WM
Date of Birth (AGE): 03/05/ 1979 (47)
Address: 317 MacArthur Circle Cocoa, FL 32927
Charges:
1 Count- LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior
1 Count- LA R.S 14:81. 3- Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor
Bond pending
Name (Race/Sex): Chaz Michael Fromnethal
Date of Birth (AGE): 08/26/1994 (32)
Address: 2201 Severn Avenue, Building F, Apt 103, Metairie, LA
Charges:
LA R.S 14:81- Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile
LA R.S 14:81.3- Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor
LA RS 14:69.1 Illegal possession of stolen firearms (Jefferson Parish)
Bond pending
