3 Louisiana men arrested for sex crimes with teenagers, children

Three Louisiana men have been arrested for crimes involving the prostitution of teenagers and young children.

Earlier in December, Louisiana State Police began an investigation involving undercover work on social media in an effort to identify and apprehend individuals seeking to have sexual contact with children. This investigation has to lead to these arrests:

Brian E. Thomas, 34, of Lake Arthur, and Quentin D. Coley, 57, of Greensburg, separately traveled to a hotel after they agreed to pay money to facilitate sex acts with an adult woman and a 13-year-old. James Hankins, 55, of Sulphur also traveled to a hotel after he agreed to pay to have sex with an adult woman, a 13-year-old, and two 7-year-old children.

Thomas and Coley were arrested and charged each with prostitution, prostitution involving persons under 17, and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. They were booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and their bond was set at $12,500 each.

Hankins was arrested and charged with prostitution, prostitution involving persons under 17, computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and indecent behavior with a juvenile. He was booked into the Beauregard Parish Jail and his bond was set at $300,000. Hankins has previously been arrested in Calcasieu Parish for pornography involving juveniles as well as obscenity.

Anyone with information about individuals engaged in crimes affecting the welfare of children, including the distribution or possession of child pornography, is asked to call the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit at 318-487-5099 or to report it online by visiting www.lsp.org and clicking the suspicious activity link.