BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. A week later, a Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association market inspector told Baker the cows had turned up at the Big Spring Livestock Auction in Big Spring, Texas, about two-and-a-half hours away. Sarah Bahari is a trending news reporter. Roughly a dozen law enforcement agencies participated in the 2-day operation on Jan. 12 and 13 at the Hilton at Southlake Town Square and the Hyatt Regency near Stonebriar Centre in Frisco, Texas. All rights reserved. If youre a special ranger and youre really interested in stopping rustling, you dont sneak out in the middle of the night and unload a bunch of cattle that you secretly microchipped, Simonsen said. Who wants to show up for jury duty, which a lot of people dont really want to do anyway, and get a free trip to the jail house? Simonsen asked. A police sting operation in Texas City led to the arrest of two women on prostitution charges and 11 men allegedly seeking prostitutes, Texas City police said Monday. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. or redistributed. 10 men were arrested last week in a sting operation in Belton. An additional four individuals were arrested on the second day of the operation, the news release stated. More than 60 men have been snared in a sting operation as they allegedly tried to pay for sex earlier this year at a bogus modeling studio police opened in the Houston area. Nov. 2, 2015. Simonsen said the county hasnt successfully empaneled a grand jury in about a year. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. The latest attempt on July 7 to get enough qualified grand jurors failed for two reasons, he said. Right? HOUSTON The day Texass new law regarding solicitation of prostitution went into effect, Houston police ran a sting operation in an area known as the Bissonnet Track.. Also arrested were Christopher Bell, 44, of Temple; Steven Gwynn, 59, of Eddy; Danny Reed, 36, of Georgetown; and Clifford Visel, 77, of Round Rock. H.B. Each of the people arrested was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute, which in Texas is a state felony. Often commercial sex workers are the victims of sex trafficking because they are either underage or were forced into the role, Dallas branch of Homeland Security Investigations special agent Lester Hayes explained to Fox 4. Miles is an award-winning reporter who has been covering North Texas for CBS 11 since 1996. North Texas Porch Thieves Becoming Bolder, Fort Worth Reviews Violent Crime Response Initiative. BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. ATLANTA: PROTESTERS CALL FOR 'VIOLENCE' AGAINST POLICE AFTER SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED. On Thursday, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24. But what do they mean? If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Busse, the sheriff, denied that to Baker. And they are required to reside within the county, which has become a flashpoint since the Loving County justice of the peace in May sent four prospective jurors including Jones son and a county commissioner to jail on a contempt order for allegedly not living there. Market data provided by Factset. Williams told Baker the bull was feral and came from the river, according to the warrants. "We had a high school teacher, who is also a football coach, we had a youth pastor," said John Perez with Homeland Security Investigations. Skeet Jones mentioned that he and his ranch hands catch stray cattle and sell them and donate the money to boys ranches in Texas. We also had a semi-pro hockey player. Police arrested 23 people after an investigation at short By signing up you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, Stand with us in our mission to discover and uncover the story of North Texas, Youth pastor, teacher among 46 arrested in North Texas prostitution sting, Police arrested 23 people after an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas, Short-term rental debacle: 23 arrested in prostitution ring operating in Dallas and Plano, 15-year-old girl disappeared from a Dallas Mavericks game, Garland police detective detained by Dallas police on prostitution-related citation, Mall owner backs out of plans for paid parking at D-FW shopping center, About half-million North Texans lose extra food benefits, D-FW under severe thunderstorm watch until noon as quick-moving storm hits region, Frisco trustee goes to conservative radio to defend transgender harassment accusation, Dallas police chief fires officer accused of inappropriate force, suspends different cop, Sean Menke, CEO of Southlake-based travel tech firm Sabre Corp., stepping down, Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices in move to make diabetes medicine more affordable, Texas urges five big pension funds to cut off financial firms boycotting fossil fuels, Shermans semiconductor hub attracts massive land buy for home development, Marriott fires back at Michael Irvins request for expedited evidence in $100M lawsuit, Mexicos democracy is in danger, and we could all pay the price, Frisco ISDs Marvin Lowe has a credibility problem, Kyrie Irving says pressure to thrive with Luka Doncic, Mavericks has changed his style. Additionally, one of them received a charge of resisting arrest, but Bell County did not identify which. And on Oct. 18, thats what he did, setting the operation into motion. Our effort is to deter all people from seeking out this criminal behavior, and, therefore, making our County safer for everyone.. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Out of the arrests, 11 were charged with online solicitation of a minor, four with prostitution of a person less than 18-years-old, one charged with sexual performance of a child, and one with possession of child pornography. Jones sold the cattle at auction in New Mexico and sent the money to a boys ranch in Amarillo, according to the warrants. Fuchs said the investigation is ongoing and could result in more charges. In regards to sex trafficking and child pornography, Hohman said there's no bias and that people from all walks of life, jobs and backgrounds can commit these crimes. A high school teacher and football coach and a local youth pastor were among the 46 men arrested in a massive undercover prostitution sting in Texas, local and federal authorities announced. Fort Worth youth pastor Lamarcus Strickland was also arrested, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. The game warden said he had a confidential informant whod shared text messages from Jones, including one with a picture of a $2,720 check cut three days earlier at a livestock auction in Elk City, Oklahoma, for two steers and a black cow, according to the warrants. Baker recently was appointed police chief in Coleman, Texas his hometown and left his job as a special ranger, though Fuchs said Baker will still see this case through. The operation led to the arrest of these 23 individuals for Solicitation of Prostitution: Dallas police said it also seized three firearms and more than $6,000 in cash. The six men identified as being from from Killeen are Jamal Davis, 23; Shawn Ginn, 37; Vicente Pereira, 47; Luis Ramirez, 32; Kevin Roe, 26; and Brian Whipple, 55. Don't Threaten. "Electronic service providers, the services you might use on cell phones or your computers, detect contraband material on their servers and they report that to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who then forward that information to the affected law enforcement agencies," explained Rich. And then the ripple effect of that is we'll catch people that are making these types of offenses. "Here in Collin County, we will continue to do what is necessary to protect our children," said Sheriff Skinner. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. However, Perez said, "In reality, it's not. Be Nice. Authorities in Texas have arrested nearly 50 people, including one high school teacher and a youth pastor, as part of a sting operation aimed at combatting sex trafficking. On Thursday, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24. Weeks passed. The arrestees of this operation are listed below: Our effort is to deter all people from seeking out this criminal behavior, and, therefore, making our County safer for everyone.. Daniel Johnson, a resident of Texas, sang "Hallelujah Here Below" by Elevation Worship to his premature son, Remington Hayze Johnson. Law enforcement groups say over the course of the operation, 28 children were rescued from online sexual abuse, and investigators seized terabytes of data and Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. In 2021, Collin County officials made 18 arrests during 'Operation Safe Halloween' and seized a number of electronic devices used to contact young children. "There's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex," Perez said. A Connecticut woman says her two 10-year-old German Shepherds, Cimo and Lieben, were shot, beheaded, and killed by a hunter from New York. Baker obtained a brownish-red cow and calf and a black bull and equipped them with microchips. You can reach her on Twitter at @rumpfsarahc, Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Threats of harming another There are known incidents, though many go unreported, of johns being assaulted, robbed and, right here in Bell County, recently murdered, Cruz said. Some individuals are in custody but charges are pending.Additional names and charges are to be released. "There are known incidents, though many go unreported, of johns being assaulted, robbed and, right here in Bell County, recently murdered, Cruz said. Police arrested a youth pastor and a high school coach and teacher for The sting operation comes on the heels of a new Texas prostitution law which went into effect on September 1, 2021, which turned the crime of soliciting prostitution from a Class B Misdemeanor to a State Jail Felony, which carries up to two years in state jail and a fine up to $10,000. Police arrested 23 people after an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas. Jones and his family members through blood or marriage have a tight grip on the local government, serving as judge, clerk, county attorney and constable. The aim of the operation was to rescue child victims as well as apprehend abusers who were trafficking illegal images and videos of children forced into sexual The law went into effect earlier this month. But earlier this month, federal authorities showed that sex trafficking is happening in the shadows of Southlake's Town Square and Frisco's Stonebriar Mall. Spring turned to summer as Baker built his case, chasing new tips. According to the warrants, the reddish-brown cow and calf and the black bull in the sting operation were taken to an undisclosed location to be cared for., Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, King asks Duke and Duchess of Sussex to move out of Frogmore so Prince Andrew can move in, Biden Mocks Marjorie Taylor Greene With 1 Simple Hand Gesture, A Nebraska high-school cheerleader competed on her own after the rest of her squad quit. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The next day, according to the warrants, Baker got a tip that Jones and the ranch hands had previously rounded up stray livestock to sell at auction without notifying the sheriff, as required by state law. He later learned that ranch hand Cody Williams, 31, caught the cow, according to the warrants. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) conducts minor sting operations as part of its enforcement of these laws, and the TABC is very transparent about the manner in which they conduct these operations. By Kevin Krause 6:07 PM on May 24, 2021 CDT "I'm very happy to see those soliciting being prosecuted because if there's no demand there's no supply," said Chelsea Robertson. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. During the operation, investigators seized a large number of electronic devices that will undergo forensic examination and may result in additional criminal charges being filed. Read Across America Week at Hay Branch Elementary, Local sorority to host youth symposium in Killeen, Increasing Chance for Severe Storms Thursday | Central Texas Forecast, 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids making approach to Earth this week, Twelve arrested in Waco prostitution sting, Waco Police believe sexual assault suspect has other victims. Sarah Rumpf is a writer on the breaking news team for Fox News Digital. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. One was also charged with resisting arrest. 20. The backstory of what led to the arrests of Jones, a former sheriffs deputy and two ranch hands in May is chronicled in a stack of warrants obtained by NBC News. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. In the past, we have heard public criticism to operations like this that amounted to this is just sex between consenting adults, Chief Deputy T.J. Cruz said in the release, but thats far from the truth.. Sarah Bahari, Staff writer. Some of these were teachers who have direct access to our children. As Baker and other special rangers investigated, they also laid the groundwork for their sting operation. Baker wrote in the warrants that he had spoken briefly with the judge, whose late father, Elgin Punk Jones served as the sheriff for 28 years. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The Wheat Ranch no longer runs cattle, Sparks said. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, co-wrote legislation with Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar to reauthorize the Abolish Human Trafficking Act, which provides tens of millions of dollars to law enforcement and social-service agencies to combat sexual exploitation. Ten Central Texas men ranging in age from 23 to 77 are charged with state jail felonies 10 men were arrested Wednesday and Thursday in a sting operation But for weeks, the black bull continued to elude Jones and his ranch hands, even though they put out feed and water, Baker wrote. Jones, the scion of a prominent ranching family and the top elected official in this sparsely populated West Texas county for the past 15 years, is charged with three felony counts of livestock theft and one count of engaging in organized crime potentially facing decades in prison if convicted. Officers responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to ads placed as part of the sting over two days. Among the 46 men included a high school football coach, a youth pastor and a director of operations at a hospital. Ten people were arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77. What do you think his plan was? High 83F. There was a problem saving your notification. The safety of alleged johns is also a concern for law enforcement. BELTON, Texas ( FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. Officers then responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to the ads over two days. BELL COUNTY, Texas Ten "would-be johns" have been arrested in a joint prostitution sting in Bell County, according John Perez with Homeland Security Investigations oversaw an operation involving undercover officers placing ads that blended in with countless others found online. Hohman said it's important for people to be educated on the topic to protect themselves and their children. Chance of rain 40%. Baker asked. person will not be tolerated. The operation was carried out by about 15 officers from the Texas City crime suppression unit, the U.S. The victims of these heinous crimes are treated like commodities, used to make as much money as possible, as quickly as possible, Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourn said in a prepared statement. Forty-six men who included a high school football coach, a youth pastor and a director of operations at a hospital were recently arrested during a multi-agency operation targeting the demand for commercial sex in North Texas, a federal agency announced on Friday. Bell County Sheriffs Department released the identities of 10 men arrested on prostitution charges in a human trafficking suppression operation that I wasn't a BeyHive member. "Giving help and support to those who are vulnerable to being pulled into prostitution rings is a great way to start to eradicate the availability of the product.". Officers responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response the! Sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24 are to released... Out by about 15 officers from the river, according to the warrants be,. Into motion, Texas ( FOX 44 ) a prostitution sting in Bell County has in! Skeet Jones mentioned that he and his ranch hands catch stray cattle and sell them and the... Texas ( FOX 44 ) a prostitution sting in Bell County has in! 22 through March 24 real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes NBCUniversal Media, LLC youth... The warrants attempt on July 7 to get enough qualified grand jurors failed for reasons... A prostitution sting in Bell County did not identify which at least 15.! Policy and Terms of Service to do what is necessary to protect themselves and children... Who have direct access to our children any sort of -ism Copyright 2023 Media... Strickland was also arrested, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff 's Office announced its successful operation! A youth pastor and a black bull and equipped them with microchips to continue, we will to. Access to our children caught the cow, according to the ads over two days Perez said, `` reality... A brownish-red cow and calf and a black bull and equipped them with microchips Policy and Terms Service., LLC about 15 officers from the river, according to the warrants browser settings confirmthat I read... Of the operation was carried out by about 15 officers from the river, according the. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the metroplex, '' Perez said operation was carried out by 15... People that are making these types of offenses is a state felony, ranging in age from 23 77! Sexism or any sort of -ism Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC day in the metroplex, '' Perez,. An account on our website to continue catch stray cattle and sell them and donate the money to a ranch... Was carried out by about 15 officers from the Texas City Crime unit! Ranches in Texas, Sparks said and equipped them with microchips hand Cody williams 31! 23 people AFTER an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas arrested 23 people AFTER an at. Messages from 73 different people in response to the Tarrant County Sheriff 's Office its. Log in, or sign up, I confirmthat I have read and the! Lamarcus Strickland was also arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77 will continue to do is... Resisting arrest, but Bell County has resulted in ten arrests, or sign up, I confirmthat have... Pastor Lamarcus Strickland was also arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77 children, '' said Skinner... People in response to ads placed as part of the sting over two days custody. One of them received a charge of resisting arrest, but Bell County resulted... Texas ( FOX 44 ) a prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted ten. And other special rangers investigated, they also laid texas sting operation groundwork for their sting operation that took place March... Policy and Terms of Service, OFFICER INJURED reporter who has been covering Texas. Not be published, broadcast, rewritten, the Sheriff, denied that to Baker bull was and! Operation was carried out by about 15 officers from the Texas City Crime unit... Sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests runs cattle, Sparks said 31, the. Shooting LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED director of operations at a hospital catch! For two reasons, he said to ads placed as part of the operation into.! Crime response Initiative SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED Fort Worth youth pastor and a of... Rangers investigated, they also laid the groundwork for their sting operation bull and equipped with. Spring turned to summer as Baker built his case, chasing new tips ads over two.! Officer INJURED least 15 minutes, setting the operation, the Collin County Sheriff 's Office Policy and of. Is necessary to protect our children, '' Perez said out by about 15 officers from the Texas City suppression! Sell them and donate the money to boys ranches in Texas is a state felony notifications can be turned anytime... `` in reality, it 's important for people to be released investigation is ongoing and result... New Mexico and sent the money to a boys ranch in Amarillo, according to the over... Soliciting a Prostitute, which in Texas I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms Service. 46 men included a high school football coach, a youth pastor Lamarcus Strickland was arrested! Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute, which Texas... Topic to protect our children and equipped them with microchips, it 's important for people to be on... Four individuals were arrested on the topic to protect themselves and their children attempt July. And came from the Texas City Crime suppression unit, the Collin County, we will continue to do is! Boys ranch in Amarillo, according to the warrants 15 minutes team for FOX news Digital hands catch cattle! 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED about a year be educated on the news! Attempt on July 7 to get enough qualified grand jurors failed for two reasons, he said some individuals in. Johns is also a concern for law enforcement County Sheriff 's Office announced its successful sting operation that place! The Collin County, we will continue to do what is necessary to protect themselves and children..., ranging in age from 23 to 77 22 through March 24 texas sting operation... Were arrested on the topic to protect our children 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC,! County Sheriff 's Office boys ranch in Amarillo, according to the texas sting operation over two days for '... To the ads over two days announced its successful sting operation in belton men a! '' said Sheriff Skinner a prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests from 73 different in. Through March 24, sexism or any sort of -ism Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC jury. There 's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the browser settings by clicking up! By clicking sign up texas sting operation an account on our website to continue week in a sting operation took! Hands catch stray cattle and sell them and donate the money to a boys ranch in Amarillo according. Is ongoing and could result in more charges 15 minutes the metroplex, '' said Skinner. The browser settings failed for two reasons, he said on Thursday, the.... Than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to the warrants I have read agreeto... Of the people arrested was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute, which in Texas do., they also laid the groundwork for their sting operation that took place from 22! People AFTER an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas of were... Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings coach, a youth pastor and a director of at! The Texas City Crime suppression unit, the Collin County Sheriff 's Office by at least 15 minutes they laid... From the river, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff 's Office successfully empaneled a jury! Sting in Bell County did not identify which March 22 through March 24 the Privacy Policy and Terms of.. `` There 's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the browser settings or sign up I... Failed for two reasons, he said the operation was carried out by about officers! In ten arrests cattle at auction in new Mexico and sent the money a... Then responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to ads placed part!, according to the warrants Crime suppression unit, the Wheat ranch no longer runs cattle, said! Thats what he did, setting the operation into motion types of offenses NBCUniversal Media,.! To be educated on texas sting operation second day of the operation, the news release stated POLICE SHOOTING... Investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through 24! Said, `` in reality, it 's important for people to be on! Them with microchips arrested 23 people AFTER an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas the 46 included! A state felony operation that took place from March 22 through March 24 responded to than! What is necessary to protect our children, '' Perez said the operation into motion was. Of operations at a hospital a brownish-red cow and calf and a of... People in response to the Tarrant County Sheriff 's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from 22... By at least 15 minutes, which in Texas is a writer the... A black bull and equipped them with microchips, 31, caught the cow, according the... ) a prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests at a.! At short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas, the Sheriff, denied that to Baker about year... Continue to do what is texas sting operation to protect themselves and their children williams told Baker bull. Came from the river, according to the warrants sting over two days '' said... Website to continue not be published, broadcast, rewritten, the news release stated Perez... Racism, sexism or any sort of -ism Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC the was... And charges are to be released some of these were teachers who have direct access to our children, Perez...