East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Deputies arrested a man Sept. 13 for sending inappropriate messages to an undercover detective posing as a 14-year-old girl, said Casey Rayborn Hicks, Public Information Director with EBRSO.

Michael Stafford, 26, of 2200 Severn Ave., Metairie, is charged with indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer aided solicitation of a minor, Hicks said.

Stafford was arrested as a result of a joint investigation by the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and Louisiana Attorney General’s Office.

According to reports, Stafford allegedly communicated via the internet, cell phone and text messaging with what he believed was a 14-year-old girl living in EBRP during July of this year, said Hicks.

An undercover EBRSO detective was actually posing as the child as part of a Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit initiative. Stafford allegedly sent lewd or lascivious text messages to the girl, and detectives were able to connect Stafford to the messages, Hicks reports.

Stafford was transported and booked as a fugitive in Jefferson Parish Prison last Thursday.

He was transported and booked into EBR Parish Prison on the above listed charges.