Austin, Texas September 16, 2016
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced the arrest of 25 suspected child predators following a joint operation led by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office High Tech Crime Unit (HTCU) and assisted by the attorney general’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit (FAU).
Over a three day period, the sting operation targeted adults in southeast Harris County who used the Internet and social media to solicit minors. Twenty-five suspects were apprehended after traveling to locations where they expected sex with a child. According to authorities, several persons arrived armed, and one man showed up with his 2-year-old son.
“This effort demonstrates the strength and effectiveness of law enforcement when it works together to crack down on child predators,” Attorney General Paxton said. “I commend everyone involved in the operation who helped identify and capture the predators before they could victimize children in Texas or elsewhere.”
Eight members of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force joined the HTCU and FAU in the operation: the Houston Police Department, Katy ISD Police Department, Deer Park Police Department, Department of Homeland Security, Harris County Precinct 1 Constables Office, Waller County District Attorney’s Office, Webster Police Department, and Cypress Creek EMS.
To view the list of the 25 individuals charged with online solicitation of a minor click here: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/files/epress/HTCU_Chat_Operation_Mug_Shots.pdf?cachebuster:16
Attorney General Paxton urges all parents to talk to their children about Internet safety, especially on social media, where the majority of child predators lurk for victims. For more information on cyber safety, please visit https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cj/cyber-safety.
