ORLEANS PARISH - Authorities arrested a 42-year-old man on multiple charges in connection to the trafficking of a child for sexual purposes.

Louisiana State Police say the victim is a 16-year-old girl who was reported missing. 

Detectives received information regarding the juvenile's whereabouts and through an investigation learned she had escaped from a residence in New Orleans after being held captive for several weeks.

During that time the victim told authorities she was held against her will, beaten, and repeatedly raped by a man identified as Melvin Davis.  Authorities arrested Davis Tuesday.

He was booked into the Orleans Justice Center and charged with trafficking a child for sexual purposes, third-degree rape, felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm while in possession of a controlled dangerous substance, and possession with the intent to distribute a schedule I controlled dangerous substance.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges and arrests are forthcoming.

The arrest was a result of a joint investigation between the Louisiana State Police Bureau of Investigations- Special Victims Unit, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the New Orleans Police Department.