On October 12, 2026, Sheriff’s Detectives began investigating multiple reports of criminal sexual conduct involving juvenile victims.

Through their investigation, multiple adult male subjects were identified to be suspects in crimes involving criminal sexual conduct  with juveniles including crimes referencing to Child Sexual Abuse Materials (C.S.A.M).

With the assistance from the Children’s Advocacy Center and investigators from the LA State Police Alexandria Field Office, District 3 Special Victims Group, significant probable cause was established to make arrests on multiple subjects for the alleged acts.

On October 14, 2026, Thomas Charles Russ was taken into custody without incident by Sheriff’s Detectives and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.  Russ remains in jail at the time of this release, being held on a $500,000.00 bond.

On October 20, 2026, Gregory Scott Hardie Jr. was taken into custody without incident by Sheriff’s Detectives and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.  Hardie, Jr. remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $300,000.00 bond.

On October 29, 2026, Kenneth Paul Ebey was taken into custody without incident by Sheriff’s Detectives and booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center.  Ebey remains in jail at the time of this release being held on a $450,000.00 bond.

Sheriff’s Detectives say this is still an active and ongoing investigation and more arrests are possible.  If anyone has any information pertaining to this investigation or these alleged crimes, they are asked to contact Detective Joseph Spence, Criminal Investigation Division-Main Office at 318-473-6727,

RPSO Main Office Dispatch at 318-473-6700 or Crime Stoppers at 318-443-7867.

RPSO would like to thank the Children’s Advocacy Network (CAC) and the LSP District 3 Special Victims Group for their assistance in this investigation.

Arrestee: Thomas Charles Russ, 41, 223 LA 1206, Deville, LA

Charges: Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (Felony), Indecent Behavior with Juveniles (Felony)

Bond: $500,000.00

Arrestee: Gregory Scott Hardie, Jr., 40, 521 Main St., Pineville, LA

Charges: Indecent Behavior with Juveniles (Felony), Possession – Child Sexual Abuse Materials (Felony)

Bond: $300,000.00

Arrestee: Kenneth Paul Ebey, 39, 6600 First St., Alexandria, LA

Charges: Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile (Felony), Indecent Behavior with Juveniles (Felony), Producing – Child Sexual Abuse Materials (Felony)

Bond: $450,000.00

Photo: L-R Thomas Russ, Gregory Hardie, Jr., Kenneth Ebey

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