Sex Offender Arrested for Indecent Behavior With Teens

Law enforcement officers accuse a 42 year old man of indecent behavior with teenagers.

George Vernier of DeRidder, Louisiana is charged with sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Sheriff's deputies in Beauregard Parish arrested him Thursday after receiving complaints last month.

Deputies say Vernier is a registered sex offender and investigators are looking into allegations of sexual misconduct involving other children.

NEWS RELEASE

BEAUREGARD PARISH SHERIFF DEPARTMENT

DERIDDER, LOUISIANA

June 13, 2008

George Thomas Vernier 42 years of age

1032 Tom Woodard Road

DeRidder, LA

Arrested: June 12, 2008 at 4:45 PM on Hwy 171 south of DeRidder

Charges:  Sexual Battery

                Indecent Behavior with a Juvenile

Bond:  $200,000.00 (In)

Investigating Officers:  Detectives Janet Beebe, Jeanne Faciane, Robert Butler and Carla Smith

NEWS RELEASE FROM BEAUGREGARD PARISH SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

On May 30, 2008, the Beauregard Parish Sheriff's Department received a complaint that between the middle and end of May, 2008, that George Thomas Vernier had inappropriately touched and exposed himself to a 15 year old girl who was living near Vernier at the time. 

During the investigation, detectives also learned that Vernier had exposed himself to a 14 year old male.  After detectives interviewed the victims and other witnesses, warrants were obtained for Vernier for sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.  Detectives also obtained a search warrant for Vernier's residence after detectives were told that Vernier, who was convicted in 1995 on sex related charges and a lifetime registered sex offender, was in possession of a firearm. 

On June 12, 2008, detectives found spent shotgun shells, empty boxes of ammunition and reloading equipment and supplies at Vernier's residence. 

Vernier was arrested at his place of employment and booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail.  Vernier remains in jail pending the posting of a $200,000 bond. 

The investigation is continuing into additional allegations of sexual misconduct of other children by Vernier and additional charges are pending.