A child was rescued from a man charged with making child pornography, according to the Mississippi Attorney General’s office.
56-year-old Rudolph Lurding was arrested in Southaven Friday on a warrant from Louisiana. He has been charged with making child pornography and sexual battery involving a kid under 13 years old.
Authorities said the child is safe and with Child Protective Services, and the crimes occurred in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.
“Really shocking. Really, it’s shocking. I just can’t imagine,” said neighbor Strickie Jones.
“It’s a weird feeling. I guess it just goes to show you don’t really know who your neighbors are,” said neighbor Tom Rogers.
Lurding recently moved from Louisiana and into a Southaven home near Stateline Road and I-55. Investigators said a previous and unrelated case of child pornography led them to him.
A woman who claimed to be his ex-girlfriend at the home said she had no idea about the charges against Lurding.
He was working at Southaven RV and Marine where he was arrested Friday. A store spokesperson sent us a statement saying:
“We cannot legally comment on any rumors or speculations about employee matters. We run a family-owned and family-focused business with very high standards. Our standards for training and excellence has helped us win the respect of thousands of repeat customers and the coveted National Customer Service award. We cooperate openly and thoroughly with law enforcement”
“We cannot legally comment regarding a person who might be interviewing, employed, under police surveillance, or terminated except to say that we work closely and thoroughly with all law enforcement as much as needed”.
The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office believes Lurding may have other victims.
If someone you know may be a victim, you can reach investigators at the following phone numbers:
- 800-256-4506 Louisiana
- 601-576-4281 Mississippi
News release from Louisiana Attorney General:
The offices of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood have teamed up to arrest a man wanted for crimes committed against children in Tangipahoa Parish.
Following an investigation, General Landry’s Cyber Crime Unit issued a warrant for Rudolph Lurding, 56 of Southaven, Mississippi, for crimes he allegedly committed while living in Louisiana.
General Hood’s Office, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Gulfport Police Department, the Southaven Police Department, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI Child Exploitation Task Force worked together to locate Lurding, arrest him, and book him into the DeSoto Country Detention Center.
Lurding has since been transported to the Tangipahoa Parish Jail where he was booked on three counts of Production of Sexual Abuse Images/Videos of Children (under the age of 13) and three counts of Sexual Battery (under the age of 13).
“The Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) taskforce is one of the best tools law enforcement has to help find child predators once they cross state lines,” said General Landry. “We thank our ICAC partners in Mississippi and those throughout the country for their commitment to protecting children.”
“Unfortunately, we fear that there are more victims in Louisiana – most likely on the Northshore,” added General Landry. “So I urge anyone with information regarding Mr. Lurding to call our office immediately at 800-256-4506.”
