Missouri And Arkansas Physician Charged With Online Sexual Enticement Of A Child

Fort Smith, Arkansas - Conner Eldridge, United States Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, announced that Donald W. Lamoureaux, age 68 of Ash Flat, Arkansas, appeared today in Fort Smith before United States Magistrate Judge Mark E. Ford on a complaint for charges of Attempted Coercion and Enticement of a Minor for Sexual Purposes. According to public information, Lamoureaux practiced family medicine in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas and Dexter, Missouri and was also employed at the VA Medical facility in West Plains, Missouri. Lamoureaux resided in Sharp County, Arkansas and was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, by the West Plains Police Department.

U.S. Attorney Eldridge commented, “The conduct at issue in this case is frightening. The threat of abuse to young and innocent children is serious, ever-present, and very real. We must and will do everything in our power to bring those involved in these despicable crimes to justice.”

Chief Kevin Lindsey stated, “Through the efforts of the Fort Smith Police Department’s Street Crimes Unit and their subsequent investigation into the activities of Lamoureaux, a suspected predator of young children has been apprehended and will be held accountable by our judicial system. The law enforcement officers directly involved in this investigation can take pride and satisfaction that their efforts have protected at least one child from an alleged predator.”

"This investigation highlights the continued successful partnership between HSI and the Fort Smith Police Department," said Raymond R. Parmer, Jr. special agent in charge of HSI New Orleans. "Identifying and investigating those who prey on innocent children via the Internet will continue to be one of HSI's highest priorities."

According to the complaint, in January of 2015, Officers with the Fort Smith Police Department began an undercover online investigation directed at individuals who were using the internet to target minors for purposes of engaging in illegal sexual activity. During the operation, an undercover officer entered an internet chat room posing as an adult mother and offering her four year old daughter for sexual exploitation. The undercover officer then made contact with the Defendant, later identified as Donald Wayne Lamoureaux. During the online conversation, the Defendant stated that he was a family practice doctor living in Northeast Arkansas, and provided the undercover officer with a picture of himself. From the information and picture provided, the undercover officer was able to identify the individual as Donald W. Lamoureaux. The Defendant then expressed that he would like to meet the undercover officer and her four year old daughter for sexual purposes. Following more discussion, the undercover officer and the Defendant scheduled a meeting for February 6, 2015 at a hotel in West Plains, Missouri. The
ostensible and stated purpose for the meeting was for the Defendant to sexually abuse the child. On February 2, 2015, the Defendant asked the undercover officer to set up a bank account so he could deposit money for expenses associated with the transportation of the four-year-old child to meet with the Defendant. A deposit in the amount of $300.00 was made by the Defendant on February 4, 2015. Lamoureaux was arrested in West Plains, Missouri on Friday, February 6, 2015, when he arrived at the meet location.

This case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Fort Smith Police Department, the West Plains Police Department, and the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force. Assistant United States Attorney Dustin Roberts is prosecuting the case for the United States.

The charges in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless or until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The charge of Attempted Coercion and Enticement carries a punishment of not more than 20 years imprisonment, not more than $250,000.00 fine, or both. If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record (if any), the defendant’s role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violations. The sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum for each count in this case, and in most cases will be less than the maximum.

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