Pike County Sheriff’s Department arrests one in connection with multi-state sex offender charges
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PATRICK T.D. CANTWELL
An investigation conducted by the Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, Sheriff’s Office, and the Pike County Sheriff’s Department led to the arrest of Patrick T. D. Cantwell, age 29, of Pleasant Hill, on several felony charges after it was discovered he allegedly sexually exploited a child under the age of 13- years -old on an online platform.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr said that after a thorough investigation, Cantwell was arrested Feb. 22, at his residence in the 35000 block of 150th Avenue, Pleasant Hill.
Cantwell, who is on pretrial release for a charge of failure to register as a sex offender, was arrested and charged with the following: failure to register as a sex offender, false information provided by a sex offender, obstructing justice, Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, arrest warrant for indecent behavior with a juvenile.
Cantwell is lodged in the Pike County Jail and has a $500,000.00 bond in Louisiana.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr is assigned to the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force investigates child exploitation crimes and trains law enforcement agencies. The task force receives CyberTips, or online reports of child sexual abuse material, from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Over the last several years, CyberTipline reports have steadily increased. In 2024, reports to the ICAC increased by 11% over 2023.
Illinois’ ICAC Task Force is one of 61 ICAC task forces nationwide and comprises a network of more than 200 local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr reminds the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Chief Deputy Orr states these complex investigations take a lot of time and typically require the issuance and execution of several court-authorized search warrants. Chief Deputy Orr said this case is an excellent representation of how the ICAC Task Force works with law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Chief Deputy Zack Orr said the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are possible.