JPSO Detective Arrested for Online Solicitation of Minors and Child Porn

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office lost one of its narcotics detectives to criminal charges this week. State Police investigators arrested Gavin Lyvers on Friday on accusations that he used a social media account to interact with minors and request explicit images.

Lyvers, 34, of Ponchatoula, was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish jail. He faces five counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and five counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. Prosecutors also charged him with two counts of possession of child sex abuse materials.

The investigation began when federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations received a cyber-tip about child pornography uploaded to a social media platform. Agents traced the account to Lyvers and notified Louisiana State Police. The Special Victims division confirmed that the detective used the platform to communicate with minors and solicit materials in exchange for items of monetary value.

Captain Jason Rivarde, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Office, stated that Lyvers was fired following his arrest. He had served as a narcotics detective for 14 years. Authorities obtained a warrant for his custody after coordinating with the department.

Lyvers is the fourth JPSO deputy taken into custody this year. Former sergeant Ronald Bodenheimer was booked on Monday for operating a vehicle while impaired after being found driving his marked patrol unit. Kyle Nugent was booked on August 31 on charges including DWI and battery after allegedly hitting a parked car and choking a partner. Aaron Verrette was arrested on September 21 for DWI after deputies found him asleep behind the wheel of a personal vehicle in Metairie.

The current case involves 12 total counts. Lyvers remains in the Tangipahoa Parish jail pending further legal proceedings.