Shreveport Man Arrested for Lascivious Behavior at Stoner Boat Launch

Man Arrested on Obscenity Charge

Shreveport police have arrested 63-year-old James Tinsley following an incident at the Stoner Boat Launch. Tinsley faces one count of obscenity after an investigation by the Shreveport Police Department.

Incident at Stoner Boat Launch

On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, undercover officers were conducting surveillance at the park when they observed Tinsley engaging in lewd and lascivious behavior in a public area. The officers made contact with Tinsley and took him into custody without incident. He was then transported to the Shreveport City Jail, where he was booked on the obscenity charge.

Understanding the Obscenity Charge

Tinsley was charged with obscenity under Louisiana Revised Statute 14:106. In Louisiana, obscenity is defined as the intentional and public exposure of genitals or participation in sexually explicit conduct that is considered offensive. This statute is in place to help ensure public spaces are safe and suitable for all community members. The Shreveport Police Department is dedicated to keeping its parks and recreational areas family-friendly.

Summary of Louisiana RS 14:106 on Obscenity

Louisiana's obscenity law, Statute 14:106, criminalizes several types of behavior. It prohibits the intentional exposure of genitals in public with the intent of arousing sexual desire. The statute also forbids participating in or promoting "hard core sexual conduct," which is defined as the public portrayal of ultimate sexual acts, masturbation, or sadomasochistic abuse for commercial gain.

Additionally, the law prohibits the sale and distribution of "obscene material," which is defined as content that an average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find appeals to a prurient interest, is patently offensive, and lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value. The statute also addresses soliciting minors to engage in these acts and the transmission of unsolicited sexually explicit materials via electronic communication. Penalties for violating the law range from fines to imprisonment, with harsher penalties for offenses involving minors.