Prosecutor files 6 child molestation charges against Lafayette man

UPDATE: Formal charges were filed by the prosecutor's office on Friday against Francisco Franco Jr., 29, on six counts of child molestation.

On Jan. 29, according to court filings, a juvenile victim reported that she was molested by Franco "on multiple occasions when (she) was between the ages of 6 and 7 years of age" when she was at Franco's residence in Lafayette.

Subsequent to the first juvenile's report, a male juvenile indicated that Franco molested him, too, between the ages of 6 and 7. The alleged events occurred at the victim's house, at Franco's house and in a wooded area near Franco's residence.

A third possible victim was identified in February 2023. That female also indicated her molestation occurred when she was between 6 and 7 years gold, nearly a decade ago when Franco was 19 years old.

On Friday, the prosecutor charged Franco with six felonies related to child molestation.

Earlier coverage:

Lafayette police executed an arrest warrant for a 29-year-old man on charges of child molestation early on Thursday afternoon.

Francisco Franco Jr. was charged by police in the 2000 block of Ulen Lane at approximately 12:22 p.m., according to a press release from the Lafayette Police Department.

“The arrest follows a comprehensive investigation of child molestation, which began in February of 2023,” according to the release.

The Lafayette PD Special Victims Union detectives conducted the investigation that resulted in six counts related to child molestation.