The Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that a corrections officer had been arrested for sex crimes against children and animals.

The suspect was identified as Johnny Schalk, 52 of Pineville, arrested for 50 counts of possession of pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13 and two counts of sexual abuse of an animal.

“Crimes against children are some of the most despicable acts imaginable,” said Attorney General Jeff Landry. “My office and I will continue doing all we legally can to finding and arresting child predators throughout our State.”

After special agents from Landry’s office received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the possible possession and distribution of child pornography, they executed a search warrant on Schalk’s residence. Further investigation by the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation (LBI) revealed Schalk, a Rapides Parish Sheriff Deputy, to be in possession of images and videos of young children posing in a sexually explicit manner and engaged in sexual activities.

Schalk was arrested and booked into the Rapides Parish Jail and has posted a bond of $52,000.

Sheriff William Earl Hilton told New Channel 5 that Schalk has been fired from his position.

Landry thanked his LBI Cyber Crime Unit, LBI Fugitive Apprehension Unit, and Homeland Security Investigations for their work on this joint investigation. He also said that additional charges may be forthcoming since all electronic devices seized at the Schalk residence are subject to further forensic examination.