EPSO investigates inappropriate behavior with juvenile

On 10-15-23, Detectives with the Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Office received information to look into possible inappropriate behavior involving a 14-year-old juvenile female. During the investigation, it was determined by detectives that while staying at the victim's home recovering from an injury and while in a relationship with the victim's older sister, the suspect inappropriately touched the 14-year-old victim on two separate occasions while residing in Evangeline Parish.

Based on this information and other evidence obtained during the investigation a warrant was obtained for Joseph Phillip Meagher W/M DOB 7/7/2003 for one count of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles and one count Sexual Battery involving a juvenile. After obtaining the warrant it was discovered that the suspect moved back to his home town in Indiana.

On 2-26-24, Meagher was placed under arrest by the Hobart Indiana Police Department via assistance from the US Marshals office both In Lafayette Louisiana and South Bend Indiana offices. The Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Department is working on returning Meagher back to Evangeline Parish in order to book him into the Evangeline Parish Jail for the above charges. His bond is set at $50,000.00