Investigators arrest suspected online child predator

NEW ORLEANS, LA (WAFB) - Authorities said a suspected online child predator could face over 30 years in prison if convicted of all of the counts against him.

The Office of the Louisiana Attorney General reported Michael Panarello, 45, of New Orleans, was arrested Tuesday as part of an investigation.

He is charged with two counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. He was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.

The Attorney General's High Technology Crime Unit said Panarello faces up to 10 years in prison on each count of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and seven years on each count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

The New Orleans Police Department, Slidell Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations were all part of the investigation leading to Panarello's arrest.

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