MANSFIELD -- A 33-year-old Mansfield man is being held without bond in the DeSoto Detention Center after being accused last week of having sexual relations with a 12-year-old female in exchange for illegal drugs.

Shacoby Benard Thomas reportedly confessed to the crime after being interviewed by Tri-Parish Drug Task Force agents, who obtained warrants charging Thomas with aggravated rape, distribution of marijuana to persons under the age of 18, contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile and illegal use of a Controlled Dangerous Substance in the presence of minors.

The investigation started when the task force received information from a "concerned citizen" that two juveniles were using illegal drugs, said DeSoto sheriff's Lt. Horace Womack, Task Force supervisor.

From interviews with the 12-year-old and a 15-year-old, agents learned they had been using marijuana supplied by Thomas after he befriended one of them at a Mansfield department store.

Thomas allegedly went to the home of the 12-year-old late at night and entered through a bedroom window to have sex with the juvenile, Womack said. "It happened more than once."

A small amount of marijuana was recovered from the 15-year-old, but no criminal charges were filed, Womack said.