COVINGTON – Covington Police Chief Michael Ferrell announced that three individuals were charged in the 22nd Judicial District Court with crimes related to targeting children for sex. The arrests follow a joint investigation led by Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s Cyber Crime Unit (CCU) and hosted by the Covington Police Department (CPD), with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Secret Service (USSS), the Mandeville Police Department (MPD), and the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office (WPSO).
On April 11, 2024, members of CPD and the Louisiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested three defendants after an undercover operation aimed at identifying individuals using websites and online platforms to meet and engage minors for sexual activity. Investigators posted decoy advertisements on websites associated with prostitution and commercial sex and were active on popular mobile dating apps.
It is alleged that the defendants responded to a location in Covington intending to engage in sexual activity with a minor.
“Through dedicated police work and collaboration, we identified and arrested these individuals, preventing harm to any child,” said Chief Ferrell. “These arrests are a significant victory for our community and a warning to predators.”
The following individuals were booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on multiple charges:
Wendell Swaithes Jr., 74, of Mandeville: One count each of Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor and Indecent Behavior with Juveniles
Karam Abdalbaqui, 25, of Gretna: One count each of Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor and Indecent Behavior with Juveniles
Randolph Burge, 45, of Picayune, MS: One count each of Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor, Indecent Behavior with Juveniles, and Obstruction of Justice
The investigation was led by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Cyber Crime Unit, hosted by CPD’s Criminal Investigations Division, with assistance from HSI New Orleans, USSS New Orleans, CPD’s Special Response Team, MPD, and WPSO.
