A 63-year-old man has been arrested in Houston on a warrant alleging he sexually abused a juvenile girl in St. Bernard Parish starting in 1986 when she was 4-years-old until she was 12, say St. Bernard Parish authorities.

Richard Gerdes was arrested Tuesday, April 20, on a warrant issued by a judge in February charging aggravated rape of a minor, which is based on the age of the girl at the time, said Chief Deputy Sheriff James Pohlmann. Sheriff’s Office officials said details on the arrest and the suspect’s Texas residence were not available.

The St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office will bring Gerdes back for prosecution when extradition proceedings are complete. 

The woman, now an adult, came forward in February, saying she was molested by Gerdes from ages 4-12, starting in 1986. Detectives from the sheriff’s Juvenile Division, commanded by Maj. Darlene Poche, investigated the allegation and obtained the warrant for the arrest of Gerdes, Pohlmann said. 

The statute of limitations on prosecution of sex abuse cases involving juveniles now allows victims to report a crime up to 30 years from their 18th birthday.

The offices of the Louisiana and Texas attorneys general announced the arrest.