A Slidell computer programmer, once known as the “Cajun Spam King,” was arrested by Slidell police Tuesday on charges of molesting a 14-year-old girl and raping a 15-year-old.

Slidell Police Department spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz said police raided the business office of Ronald Scelson, 36, at 1831 Third Street and confiscated numerous computers and computer-related equipment after detectives interviewed the 14-year-old victim.

The girl said she was molested by Scelson back in February when she was at his Third Street business. She noticed that several of his computers were on pornographic sites and others were on chat room sites. She said Scelson started joking around with her and then allegedly handcuffed her and proceeded to fondle the girl.

Ronald Scelson

The victim told a friend about the incident in May. The friend relayed the information to the victim’s mother who called the Slidell police May 18 and filed a report.

During the raid on Scelson’s office, police also found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Foltz said police also got a search warrant for Scelson’s home at 2030 Teal St., and there they seized three computers.

In all, police confiscated three computer servers, three laptop computers, nine desktop computers and seven external storage devices. All of them are being examined by computer forensic investigators for evidence.

Police Chief Freddy Drennan said he was concerned about what investigators might find on the computers.

“I am hoping that we don’t have any more victims,” Drennan said.

Foltz said police don’t know why Scelson had so many computers, but they believe he was using them to view pornographic Web sites, and to communicate through various chat rooms.

Scelson has an infamous reputation in the computer world. An eighth-grade dropout, Scelson is a self-taught computer programmer, who gained notoriety for bulk mailing spam e-mails all over the world. He was known as the Cajun Spam King and bragged that he could break through any anti-spam software and that he would send 180 million junk e-mail messages every 12 hours. He testified before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee in 2003 on spam practices, and ironically, told senators they should pass anti-spam legislation.

After Scelson was arrested, and Foltz said he was cooperating with investigators. During questioning, police learned that Scelson has raped a 15-year-old Slidell girl in April of May of 2008. The rape allegedly took place in Scelson’s old residence in the Audubon subdivision, Foltz said. The 2008 rape had never been reported to police, Foltz said, but detectives have questioned the rape victim.

In all, Scelson has been charged with molestation of a juvenile, forcible rape, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of a weapon while in possession of narcotics. As of press time, Scelson was still at the Slidell City Jail waiting to be transferred to the St. Tammany Parish Jail where bond will be set.

Foltz said that if convicted of all the charges, Scelson faces 62 years in prison, a fine of $20,000 or both.