A LaPorte man is behind bars following an investigation involving inappropriate messages to a minor.

The LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office says a woman and her 13-year-old niece reported the messages in January.

Detectives conducted an investigation and identified the suspect as 34-year-old Joseph Yaw.

A warrant was issued earlier this month, and Yaw was arrested Friday by the sheriff’s warrants division and the Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force.

He faces charges including promotion of sex trafficking, child solicitation, and inappropriate communication with a child.

Yaw is being held in the LaPorte County Jail on a 25-thousand-dollar cash-only bond.