North Carolina Man Arrested After Traveling to Louisiana to Assault Teen He Met Online
LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA — A Charlotte man has been arrested on serious charges after police say he traveled from North Carolina to Louisiana to sexually assault a teenage girl he met on social media.
Missing Teen Leads to Discovery
According to Lake Charles police, officers responded to a report of a missing 15-year-old on April 27. While they were at the home, the girl returned and told investigators she had been with Benjamin Kacan, 29, of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Planned Trip and Assault
Detectives say Kacan first made contact with the girl on social media in early April. He then flew to Houston, Texas, and traveled to Lake Charles, where he rented a hotel room and an Airbnb.
While in the city, Kacan allegedly sexually assaulted the girl before returning home to North Carolina.
Arrest and Extradition
Investigators secured a no-bond arrest warrant, charging Kacan with:
- Three counts of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile
- Computer-aided solicitation of a minor
The U.S. Marshals Service located Kacan on July 28 at an apartment near Charlotte. Authorities said he attempted to evade arrest by jumping from a third-floor balcony before being taken into custody.
Kacan initially contested his extradition twice, forcing Louisiana prosecutors to prepare a Governor’s Warrant. He later dropped the challenge and was transferred to the Calcasieu Parish Correctional Center.
Ongoing Concerns About Online Exploitation
Authorities stressed the dangers of minors interacting with strangers online, warning parents to monitor social media use closely. Cases like this highlight how quickly online conversations can escalate into real-world exploitation.
What steps do you think communities and families should take to keep minors safe online? Share your views in the comments on SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.
