Natchitoches Parish Sheriff High Tech Crime Unit

08/31/2026

NPSO INVESTIGATES EARLY MORNING FALSE CALL REPORTING ALLEGED SHOOTING; ONE PERSON ARRESTED

A Natchitoches man has been arrested after he allegedly called the Natchtioches Parish Sheriff’s Office early this morning falsely reporting that he had shot his girlfriend near Natchitoches according Sheriff Stuart Wright.

At approximately 1:07 a.m., NPSO 911 dispatchers received a call on an administrative telephone line from a male who stated twice, “I done shot my girlfriend,” before disconnecting the call.

Dispatchers immediately attempted to call the number back several times; however, the calls went directly to voicemail, which had not been set up.

Recognizing the potential seriousness of the call and the possibility that someone may have been injured and in need of immediate medical assistance, NPSO communications personnel immediately began working to identify the caller and determine his location.

Dispatchers searched prior Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) records associated with the telephone number and located a previous call connected to a residence in the 2800 block of Louisiana Highway 494. Deputies were immediately dispatched to that location to conduct a welfare check.

While deputies were responding, dispatchers conducted additional research on the telephone number and searched prior CAD records for other possible locations associated with the number.

During the investigation, NPSO dispatchers were also able to establish communication with the male caller through Text-to-911.

During the text conversation, the male refused to identify himself or provide his location. He continued to claim that he had shot his girlfriend but stated that she was “OK” and that he intended to wrap the wound with a towel.

Dispatchers repeatedly attempted to persuade the caller to provide his location and allow deputies and emergency medical personnel to respond, explaining the potentially life-threatening dangers associated with a gunshot wound. The male continued to refuse assistance and declined to provide information that would assist authorities in locating him.

As communications personnel continued communicating with the caller, an NPSO patrol supervisor contacted detectives assigned to the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit for assistance in locating the cellular device.

Through investigative technology, HTCU detectives were able to develop information indicating that the cellular device was in the area of a residence in the 100 block of American Way.

Deputies responded to the residence, where they located the cellular device believed to have been used to make the original call. A male identified as 25-year-old Kydarius A. Brown of Natchitoches was located in the residence and taken into custody while deputies continued their investigation.

Deputies continued their investigative efforts and made contact with the alleged shooting victim, confirming that she was safe and had not been the victim of a shooting.

Brown was taken into custody without incident and eventually arrested on one count of False Communication with Intent to Cause an Emergency Response.

Brown is currently on felony probation.

Sheriff Stuart Wright commended NPSO 911 Communications personnel, responding deputies, patrol supervisors and High Tech Crime Unit detectives for their coordinated efforts in attempting to quickly locate the caller and any potential victim.

“This was a call that had to be treated as a potentially life-threatening emergency from the moment it was received,” Sheriff Wright said. “Our dispatchers continued working every available avenue to identify and locate the caller while deputies were responding and checking possible locations. Their persistence, combined with the assistance of our High Tech Crime Unit and responding deputies, allowed us to locate the telephone and a person connected to this investigation.”

08/05/2026

🚨 SCAM ALERT 🚨

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office has been made aware of fraudulent text messages claiming to be from a "Louisiana Sheriff's Office" or another law enforcement agency regarding an unpaid parking violation.

The message typically claims you owe a small fine, threatens penalties if you do not pay immediately, and directs you to click on a suspicious website.

This is a scam.

Red flags include:

🚩 A suspicious web address that does not end in .gov or belong to an official government agency.
🚩 Requests for immediate payment of a small amount to create a sense of urgency.
🚩 Threats of driver's license suspension, vehicle registration suspension, or debt collection if you do not pay immediately.
🚩 Requests to reply with a letter or keyword (such as "Q") to receive more information.
🚩 Generic references to "Louisiana Sheriff's Office" rather than a specific law enforcement agency.

Protect yourself:

✅ Do not click any links or reply to the message.
✅ Do not provide personal or financial information.
✅ Verify any citation or court matter by contacting the issuing agency directly using a phone number or website you locate independently.
✅ Delete the message after reporting it as spam on your phone.
✅ If you already clicked the link or entered payment information, contact your bank or credit card company immediately and monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity.

Text message circulating in Natchitoches Parish:

Louisiana Sheriff's Office
Parking Violation Notice
Citation Number: LA‑SB‑2026‑418263

Violation: Violation of Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S.) § 32:143 regarding parking regulations
Incident Details: August 1, 2026, 10:42 AM | Many, LA

Parking Fine Due: $6.99.
Payment Due Date: August 6, 2026.

Pursuant to La. R.S. § 32:57, failure to resolve this citation by the due date will result in administrative late fees, suspension of vehicle registration, and referral to the parish debt collection department.
You have the right to contest the violation charge via a parish court hearing prior to the payment due date.

07/15/2026

06/25/2026

‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️

NPSO: Ankle Monitoring Scam Targeting Residents

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office (NPSO) are warning the public about an ongoing scam in which individuals are falsely claiming to be law enforcement officials, court personnel, or electronic monitoring agents in an attempt to defraud residents.

Scammers are using information of relatives in jail in an effort to scam family members to send money.

According to reports, scammers are contacting citizens by phone, text message, and email claiming the recipient is required to make immediate payments related to court-ordered ankle monitoring devices. In some cases, the suspects are advising individuals that they must “activate,” “update,” or “clear fees” associated with a GPS ankle monitor, or face arrest or additional legal action.

The scammers often attempt to create urgency and fear, pressuring victims to make immediate payments using gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps. Some calls may even appear legitimate due to caller ID spoofing that mimics official government or law enforcement phone numbers.

Sheriff Wright emphasized that neither the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office nor any legitimate court authority will demand payment over the phone or request payment through gift cards, crypto, or other untraceable methods.

Important Public Safety Tips

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and follow these guidelines:

Do not provide personal or financial information to unsolicited callers or messages
Do not make payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or payment apps based on phone demands
Hang up immediately if pressured or threatened with arrest
Verify any claims directly by contacting the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office using an official number
Be aware that caller ID can be spoofed to appear as a legitimate agency
Report suspicious calls or messages to law enforcement immediately
Report Suspicious Activity

Anyone who believes they may have been contacted by scammers or has information regarding this scam is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-357-7851.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office continues to encourage citizens to stay alert and help spread awareness to prevent others from becoming victims of fraud.

06/14/2026

SCAM ALERT: Fraudsters Targeting Residents with Fake “Pre-Trial” Payment Demands Using Relative/or Friends Names To Get Them Out of Jail

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office is notifying the public of a scam targeting residents through phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media messages claiming they must send money to avoid arrest, clear a warrant, get a relative out of jail, satisfy a court obligation, or participate in a so-called "pre-trial" program.

The fraudster may use the name of a relative needing to get out of jail with the condition of bond being the use of an ankle monitor system.

Scammers often impersonate law enforcement officers, court officials, attorneys, or government agencies and may use spoofed phone numbers that appear legitimate. Victims are instructed to immediately send money through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or other electronic payment methods.

Residents should be aware:

* The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office does not call individuals demanding money to avoid arrest or resolve legal matters.
* Legitimate law enforcement agencies do not accept payments through gift cards, cryptocurrency, or peer-to-peer payment apps.
* Scammers frequently use threats, intimidation, and urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions.
* Caller ID information can be manipulated and should not be considered proof of legitimacy.
*
If you receive a suspicious call, text, email, or message:
* Do not provide personal or financial information.
* Do not send money.
* Hang up immediately and independently verify the information by contacting the agency directly using a known phone number.
* Report the incident to your local law enforcement agency.
*
Anyone who believes they may have been targeted or victimized by this scam is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office at 318-357-7851.

The NPSO High Tech Crime Unit and other law enforcement partners are investigating these incidents.

Two cases have been reported in Natchitoches Parish where victims sent money.

Sheriff Stuart Wright reminds citizens to remain vigilant and discuss these scams with family members, especially senior citizens who are often targeted by fraudsters. When in doubt, hang up, verify, and never send money to unsolicited callers.

06/11/2026

NPSO: Oklahoma Man in Custody Related to Online Exploitation of Natchitoches Parish Juvenile

Natchitoches Parish – A Broken Arrow, Oklahoma man currently incarcerated in Oklahoma on charges of Second Degree R**e, So**my with a Victim Under 16, Soliciting Sexual Conduct or Communications with a Minor by Use of Technology, and Enticing a Child Under 16 into a Secluded Area has been arrested on felony charges following an extensive investigation by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office High Tech Crime Bureau involving the online exploitation of a juvenile in Natchitoches Parish, according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright.

On April 7, 2026, the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office received a complaint from a parent after her daughter, less than 12 years old, reported an inappropriate online encounter with an individual she initially believed to be a young boy through a social media platform commonly used by children and adults.

The investigation was assigned to the NPSO High Tech Crime Bureau.

Through forensic analysis, search warrants, digital evidence obtained from multiple technology providers, and other investigative means, detectives identified the suspect as Tyrone J. Muao, 35, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.

Investigators determined Muao allegedly used social media accounts to communicate with juvenile victims while misrepresenting his age. Evidence gathered during the investigation indicated Muao knowingly engaged in communications with the Natchitoches Parish child after learning her true age and allegedly participated in conduct constituting criminal violations under Louisiana law.

The investigation further revealed evidence indicating Muao maintained communications with numerous underage individuals through social media platforms and displayed a pattern of seeking contact with minors. Detectives also learned Muao currently faces pending criminal charges in Oklahoma involving allegations of sexual offenses against a minor.

On June 5, 2026, a detective assigned to the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit submitted arrest warrant affidavits charging Muao with one count of Indecent Behavior with Juveniles and one count of Computer-Aided Solicitation of a Minor.

At the time of these new allegations, Muao was free on bond in Oklahoma awaiting court proceedings on the original charges. Following notification of the Natchitoches Parish charges, his bond was revoked. Detectives in Oklahoma have also opened a new investigation into Muao's activities and have identified additional victims across the United States.

The arrest warrants were approved through the Tenth Judicial District Court. Law enforcement authorities in Oklahoma have been notified of the warrants and plan to arrest Muao on the Natchitoches Parish charges.

“This investigation demonstrates the importance of parental involvement and immediate reporting of suspicious online activity involving children,” said Sheriff Stuart Wright. “The safety and protection of our children remains one of our highest priorities. We will continue to aggressively investigate crimes involving the exploitation of children and work with our law enforcement partners to bring offenders to justice.”

This investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges are pending as Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Detectives continue assisting the Bartlesville Police Department in Oklahoma in this disturbing investigation involving children.

Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at (318) 238-3127.

Sergeant Clinton Dunn, assigned to the NPSO High Tech Crime Unit, is leading the investigation.

Sheriff Wright commended the NPSO High Tech Crime Bureau for their diligence, professionalism, and commitment to protecting children from online predators.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office encourages parents and guardians to actively monitor their children's online activity, discuss internet safety with their children, and immediately report suspicious or inappropriate communications involving minors to law enforcement.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office remains committed to protecting children from online predators through aggressive investigations, community awareness, and partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Parents are encouraged to remain actively involved in their children's online activities and report any suspicious behavior immediately. Working together, we can help ensure the safety and well-being of our children both online and throughout our communities.

04/24/2026

NPSO ALERT: SCAM NOTICE REGARDING FRAUDULENT TRAFFIC VIOLATION TEXT MESSAGES

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office has been informed by parish residents of a text message circulating today claiming to be from the “State of Louisiana – Municipal Court of Orleans Parish, Traffic Division” regarding alleged outstanding traffic violations.

This message is a scam.

The fraudulent notice attempts to pressure recipients into taking immediate action by threatening penalties such as license suspension, additional fines, or court enforcement. It may also include a QR code or link directing individuals to submit payment.

Residents are advised of the following:

Legitimate courts and law enforcement agencies do not send unsolicited text messages demanding payment for traffic violations.
Official notices are typically sent via mail or served in person.
Do not click on any links or scan QR codes contained in suspicious messages.
Do not provide personal or financial information.

If you receive this message, delete it immediately. If you have already interacted with the message or provided information, you are encouraged to contact your financial institution and report the incident.

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office reminds the public to remain pay attention to suspicious text messages and report scams to local law enforcement.