ST. MARY PARISH, La. — St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell announced that a Patterson man is now facing dozens of additional charges following an ongoing investigation into child exploitation offenses.
Henry Manuel Rabelo, 42, of Patterson, was initially arrested on April 16, 2026, at approximately 2:54 p.m. on charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material and one count of sexual abuse of an animal.
According to the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, detectives began the investigation after receiving a tip indicating that Rabelo was in possession of illegal material involving children. Authorities obtained a search warrant and executed it on April 13, 2026, which led to Rabelo’s arrest. He was transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center for booking.
As the investigation continued, detectives identified additional digital evidence. That evidence resulted in a second warrant, adding 24 more counts of child sexual abuse material and one additional count of sexual abuse of an animal.
Rabelo, who was already in custody, was rebooked on the new charges at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center. Bail has not yet been set.
The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office emphasized its continued partnership with the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which focuses on investigating and prosecuting technology-related crimes involving minors.
Officials are also urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s online activity and report any suspicious behavior. Resources and reporting information are available through the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
