Man accused of forcing himself on young girl arrested by officers

NAPOLEONVILLE – A man was arrested by Assumption Parish officers after allegedly forcibly groping a girl under the age of 10 and taking her to his Belle Rose home.

Sidney Clifton, 59, was arrested on Wednesday and is accused of sexual assault and sexual abuse of a juvenile.

On July 16, officers responded to a call on Louisiana 1 in Belle Rose where sex crimes were allegedly being committed against a juvenile. According to the person who called in about the crime, Clifton visited the home the day before and committed sexual abuse against a young girl.

Later that same day, the young girl was allowed to go to a local store with Clifton. Officials said Clifton drove to a secluded area and again attempted to inappropriately touch the girl. The victim rejected him, officials said.

Clifton then allegedly took the child back to the home in La. 1 and told her not to tell anyone.

Clifton was arrested by St. Tammany Parish officials and transported to the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office on Thursday.

He was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on this charge and will be required to register as a sex offender if convicted.