Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Supervisor, Capt. Eckhart, arrested a Ville Platte man for sexual battery after allegedly engaging in indecent behavior with a 17 year old female.

        Darrel Whatley, 62, 5278 Beaver Road, Ville Platte, was charged with . The victim reported, to Sheriff's Deputies, that on May 5, that Whatley showed up at the pond where she was fishing and made unwanted sexual contact with her. During the investigation it was determined that Whatley was a registered sex offender and was subsequently arrested.

        During questioning, Whatley allegedly gave a detailed confession about the events as they took place. He was booked into the Evangeline Parish Jail for violation of LRS 14:43.1, sexual battery and his bond was set at $25,000.
 
         Soileau reminded residents to continue to report illegal activities to his office. He said all callers will remain anonymous. He also added no person will be intimated or threatened during the course of an investigation and promised violators will be charged.