Overview
- Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit arrested Rutledge Deas IV, 35, on Grand Avenue in Lafayette and booked him on a human trafficking charge.
- Investigators report he contacted a nanny through an online platform, then portrayed himself as the person with special needs and required diaper changes and other infant or toddler care.
- Detectives obtained warrants alleging human trafficking and attempted human trafficking, and the investigation remains active.
- Deas was previously arrested in similar cases in 2019 and 2021 and pleaded guilty in December 2020, after which he was placed on probation.
- He was booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center, and authorities say additional victims are possible and ask anyone affected to call 504-310-7012.