By Pat Culverhouse

 An investigation into allegations of illegal sexual activity involving a juvenile ended Thursday with the arrest of a 26-year-old Minden man.

Demarcus T. Jackson is charged with molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13 and is being held at Bayou Dorcheat Correctional Center under a $250,000 bond. He is also looking at another $20,000 bond on a bench warrant for theft of goods.

Minden detectives reportedly began their investigation on March 18 after the victim’s mother filed a complaint alleging Jackson had been sexually involved with her daughter.

During the scope of the investigation, and following multiple interviews, detectives reportedly substantiated the claim and obtained an arrest warrant.

Chief of Police Jared McIver said Demarcus T. Jackson was picked up Thursday at his Syrup Mill Rd. residence by Webster Parish deputies enforcing arrest warrants.

Under Louisiana law (La. R.S. 14:81.2), conviction for molestation of a juvenile under the age of 13 carries a maximum of 99 years with a mandatory minimum of 25 years at hard labor. 

At least 25 years of the sentence must be served without the benefit of parole, probation, or suspension of sentence. Those penalties are specifically applied when the victim is under 13 years of age or if the offender is 17 or older.

This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.