A Mississippi doctor was arrested for indecent behavior with a juvenile in Louisiana, law enforcement announced Monday.
Agents with the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation took Joseph Bunol, 32, into custody Friday and charged him with one count of indecent behavior and one count of computer aided solicitation of a minor.
Bunol was hired in July as a cardiologist at Memorial Physician Clinic’s Coast Cardiovascular Associates on Broad Avenue in Gulfport. However, a page announcing his hiring on Memorial Health System’s website has since been deleted. It’s unclear at this time if Bunol is still on staff.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said Bunol was caught making inappropriate communications with a minor from St. Tammany Parish. His arrest was the result of a joint investigation between the Louisiana Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, and the Louisiana 22nd JDC Special Victims Unit Task Force.
“No matter where you are, if you inappropriately communicate with our kids, we will hunt you down and bring you to justice,” Murrill said, crediting law enforcement. “Great work by our Louisiana Bureau of Investigation Agents, District Attorney Collin Sims and his newly formed 22nd JDC Special Victims Unit Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.”
“Child predators often hide in plain sight, even in positions of trust and authority,” DA Sims added. “This arrest is a clear reminder that no profession or title is above the law. Our Special Victims Unit Task Force will continue to work relentlessly with our law enforcement partners to identify and remove those who seek to exploit children.”
Bunol was booked into the St. Tammany Correctional Facility as the investigation continues. His bond information is pending.
