In December 2014, Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators began an investigation into a complaint about a juvenile rape that occurred in the parish. The suspect was identified, and investigators obtained an arrest warrant charging Luis Enrique Garcia Madera, 22, an illegal immigrant from Campeche, Mexico, with aggravated rape.

Madera had been in the United States for approximately one year, during which time he worked construction jobs in and around Washington Parish. He is believed to have ties in St. Tammany Parish and New Orleans and often plays piano for churches.

Once Madera learned of the initial investigation, he abruptly left his known residence in Franklinton and has yet to return or communicate with his family.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the U.S. Border Patrol to locate Madera and return him to Washington Parish to face the aggravated rape charge. Anyone with information about the possible location of Madera is asked to call Sheriff’s Office investigators at 985-661-2021. Any person providing information will remain anonymous.

Sheriff Randy Seal asks for the public’s help.

“If you know where Madera might be hiding, please let us know,” said Seal. “He committed a serious crime in our parish and must be brought to justice.”