A registered sex offender has been booked on a charge of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance last May of a Louisiana college student, authorities said.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said Thursday night that 33-year-old Brandon Scott Lavergne, of the same parish, was booked on first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping charges by police in Lafayette, where University of Louisiana student Mickey Shunick went missing May 19.

Guidroz said the arrest came as his department helped Lafayette police search Lavergne's residence for evidence. The search continued Thursday night.

The sheriff had no details on what was found. Lafayette police also released no details. Police have scheduled a 1 p.m. Friday news conference to discuss an arrest in the case.

It was not immediately clear if Lavergne has an attorney.

The rural St. Landry address where the search was conducted is listed as the address of Lavergne on the state's sex offender website.