A three-parish investigation, in which deputies with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office played a role, led to the arrest and conviction of a former federal law enforcement officer from Acadiana in connection with an online child enticement case, according to the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office.

Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards reports that 52-year-old Randy P. Courville of Eunice, who at the time was a police officer in the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without probation, five years of supervised release upon completion of the prison term, register as a sex offender, participate in sex offender treatment, not subscribe or otherwise use the Internet, and not associate with minors.

Sheriff Edwards says that Courville had earlier entered a guilty plea to one count of attempting to entice a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity. Sentencing in the case was on Monday, July 14.

Sheriff Edwards says that three simultaneous undercover online investigations had begun with deputies from Tangipahoa and St. Landry Parishes and officers from the Kenner Police Department posing as a "little girl". Sheriff Edwards says that Courville then contacted the "little girl" and discussed sexual matters, asking "her" to perform sexual acts and send him some pictures.

"It is a sad day when one officer has to arrest another officer for wrongdoing," said Sheriff Edwards. "When a police officer violates his oath and breaks the law, it can erode the public's confidence in law enforcement. The successful prosecution of this case was important to us to demonstrate to the public that no one is above the law. Additionally, Courville's ten-year sentence without the possibility of parole serves as a warning to Internet predators that there are serious consequences for preying on our children."

Sheriff Edwards adds that this case was a part of Project Safe Childhood, a national initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.