Eunice Man Pleads Guilty to Receipt of Child Pornography; Investigation Linked Defendant’s Address to Chatroom

LAFAYETTE - On July 21, 2026, Scott Martel, 36, of Eunice, pled guilty in federal court to Receipt of Child Pornography, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2252A(a)(2). Martel faces up to 20 years in federal prison for the charges. His sentencing is scheduled for October 13, 2026.

"Protecting children from sexual exploitation is one of the highest priorities of this office," said United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "We will continue working alongside our federal partners to bring offenders who engage in this despicable conduct to speedy justice."

According to court documents, FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) agents began investigating Martel in March of 2025 after identifying communications in a Chatib chatroom that described the graphic sexual acts he intended to commit with minors. These chats connected Martel to his residential address. Agents then executed a search warrant at his home during which Martel acknowledged his involvement in this activity. During the search, agents discovered additional electronic evidence showing that Martel knowingly received illegal images, including of a young child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. The investigation established that Martel used multiple online platforms and electronic devices over a period of time to commit these offenses.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elliott Cassidy, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Denise Duhon.

This case was investigated as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys' Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 6:26 cr 00095 01.

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Public Affairs
United States Attorney's Office
Western District of Louisiana
[email protected]
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla
Twitter @USAO_WDLA