AG unit arrests solicitation suspect
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A new unit in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office created to track fugitives made its first arrest Tuesday in Vernon Parish in connection with a case in Tangipahoa Parish.
The unit captured a former Fort Polk solider accused in Hammond more than a year ago of computer-aided solicitation of a juvenile, authorities said.
Unit members waited for Paul David Haptonstall, 29, 1109 N. 5th St., Leesville, to arrive home Tuesday at his girlfriend’s house where he was living, Hammond police and attorney general’s spokesmen said Wednesday.
Hammond police issued a warrant for Haptonstall’s arrest in March 2007 after an Internet investigation that began while he was still in the U.S. Army and stationed at Fort Polk, police and military spokesmen said.
Police officers unable to find Haptonstall had heard about state Attorney General Buddy Caldwell’s newly formed unit through word of mouth and asked Monday for help to find the fugitive, the day the unit started operations, said Tammi Arender Herring, director of communications for Caldwell’s office.
Haptonstall formerly was listed as residing in military housing at Fort Polk, said Brannon Lamar, Fort Polk spokesman. Haptonstall, an enlisted man with the rank of specialist, left the Army and Fort Polk in July 2007, Lamar said.
Lamar did not have further details Wednesday on Haptonstall’s departure and what he did at the base.
Haptonstall was booked Tuesday in Hammond with computer-aided solicitation, Hammond Police Department spokesman Lt. Vincent Giannobile said.
