Lake Charles, LA –
On February 19, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office detectives received a report in reference to indecent behavior with juveniles. During the investigation, detectives learned Dawson C. Hassell, 25, Florida, sent an inappropriate sexually explicit video to multiple juveniles in Calcasieu Parish via social media. The victims ranged in age from 12 to 16 years old.
With the assistance of Florida authorities, he was located on July 17 in Sarasota County and on July 29 he was extradited back to Calcasieu Parish. He was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 6 counts of indecent behavior with juveniles.
The investigation continued and Hassell was found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material while in Calcasieu Parish. On October 17, Hassell, who is still incarcerated at the Calcasieu Correctional Center, was additionally charged with 9 counts of pornography involving juveniles. Judge Tony Fazzio set an additional bond of $150,000.
CPSO Special Victims Unit Detective Sonny Schiro is the lead investigator on this case.
An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.