Lake Charles, LA –
On January 8, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received a complaint in reference to a sexual battery.
During the investigation the victim, who is under the age of 10, disclosed Wilmer Banegas-Velasquez, 38, Lake Charles, had inappropriate sexual contact with him. Detectives attempted to locate Velasquez but were unsuccessful. After further investigation, later the same day, Judge Tony Fazzio signed a warrant in the amount of $350,000 for his arrest.
On February 1, officers with the Lake Charles Police Department made contact with Velasquez. He was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with sexual battery (victim under the age of 13).
CPSO Special Victims Unit Detective Sonny Schiro is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.