Snapchat messages lead to arrest of man accused of raping 12-year-old

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB/Gray News) - Deputies in Louisiana arrested a man accused of raping a young girl after they found Snapchat conversations between them.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office arrested Lemarkis Harry, 32, of Slidell, on Sunday.

The child, a 12-year-old girl, told detectives she had been communicating with Harry for about two months before she allegedly admitted to having intercourse with him.

Investigators said Snapchat records from January 1 through March 12 showed Harry allegedly discussed sexual acts with the child and sent multiple explicit photos. Arrest documents also say Harry initially told the girl he was 13 years old before giving her a phone number to continue communicating outside of Snapchat.

Detectives said at one point Harry allegedly asked the child how old she was after seeing a school progress report and, after learning she was 12, told her not to lie to him again.

The records also indicate surveillance video captured Harry’s vehicle traveling from Slidell to the child’s home in Baton Rouge on Jan. 11, according to deputies.

Arrest documents say on March 4, after the child told Harry she had been raped, he allegedly warned her that a rape kit could detect his DNA and instructed her not to say his name.

Harry was booked on charges including first-degree rape, indecent behavior with juveniles, computer-aided solicitation of a minor, and obstruction of justice.