National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 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. I applaud the dedication of these task force groups, including members of the Dallas Police Department, to bring these suspects to justice. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Then Baker got a tip on Nov. 4 that the reddish-brown cow and her calf had been captured and were penned up on the Joneses family ranch, the warrants state. Latest timing, chances, Gallery: Photos of 2021 I-35W pileup released with NTSB report, Longhorn Ballroom, famed Dallas dancehall, reopening in spring 2023 after renovations, Man arrested in connection to shooting death of 16-year-old girl found in Oak Cliff creek, police say. 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. He later learned that ranch hand Cody Williams, 31, caught the cow, according to the warrants. The Wheat Ranch no longer runs cattle, Sparks said. Its unknown if the two steers were strays, Baker wrote, but the judge piqued his suspicion about the black cow by referring to it as a wild cow in a text message. Baker asked if theyd contacted the sheriffs office and Williams replied that it was above his pay grade. 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 According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, in Jan. 2022, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) conducted multiple Adult Prostitution Operations and Online Solicitation of Minor Operations throughout the West Texas Region. H.B. 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. In Texas, the solicitation of prostitution is considered a felony and is punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The people charged as a result of this operation preyed on some of our most vulnerable, our children. 20. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Dallas officials said the undercover operation coincides with the Department of Homeland Securitys Blue Campaign to highlight Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Can I still get Beyonc tickets? Low 66F. Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office Texas-based Corner Bakery Cafe files for bankruptcy, We tried the chicken fried steak that (briefly) shut down Mr. Juicy, Luna Rosa opens in former Rosario's Southtown location, San Antonio congressman Joaquin Castro diagnosed with cancer, San Antonio's massive pirate-themed park delays opening date, Buc-ee's plans global domination with a proposed Wisconsin store, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans. The names of the suspects were not released by federal authorities. Williams told Baker the bull was feral and came from the river, according to the warrants. And an operations director of a large hospital network. Thank you for reading! The operation wrapped up Friday with the rescue of 28 children and the arrest of 59 people who are now facing at least 80 criminal charges. "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. GALVESTON, Texas - Fourteen were arrested after a sting operation was conducted in Galveston. Prostitution sting operation in Frisco results in the arrest of 46 men over 2 days. The Central Texas sting operation from August 1 to August 4 involved Bell County investigators posing online as a juvenile under 17 years old. Spring turned to summer as Baker built his case, chasing new tips. During this weeks operation, one of the defendants negotiated a price but arrived with no money. Texas law enforcement worked to uncover a huge prostitute sting of 46 community men. In Frisco, two hotels were used for the undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security. It's well known that prostitutes walk the streets nightly in a rundown part of Northwest Dallas. Threats of harming another Then, on March 8, 2021, a Texas Parks and Wildlife game warden contacted Baker. On Thursday, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, The Texas Department of Public Safety and Lubbock Fire Rescue assisted in the operation, according to police. Six people were arrested on Feb. 22 and an additional four were arrested on Feb. 23. Some of the conversation seemed strange at the time, Baker noted. 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. First published on January 20, 2023 / 10:14 PM. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism There is no indication from the records that the judge or the ranch hands had a role in the cow killings, which remain unsolved. Ten people were arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77. BELL COUNTY, Texas Ten "would-be johns" have been arrested in a joint prostitution sting in Bell County, according to the Bell County Sheriff's Department. 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. Investigators also seized terabytes of data and electronic devices that were being used during the commission of these crimes. Be Nice. She previously worked as a writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, where she covered a bit of everything. Skeet Jones mentioned that he and his ranch hands catch stray cattle and sell them and donate the money to boys ranches in Texas. 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. What Jones most likely didnt realize from his steel perch as he scanned the horizon: He, too, was being watched as part of a cattle-rustling sting operation devised by special rangers with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Chance of rain 40%. Texas authorities say a precinct chief was among over a dozen people arrested in an undercover prostitution sting operation. Robertson is with POETIC, a Dallas based organization that helps women and girls who are victims of sex trafficking. The latest attempt on July 7 to get enough qualified grand jurors failed for two reasons, he said. 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. person will not be tolerated. You go ahead., Alvarado, Jones ranch hand, roped the bull in a pasture and helped load him into a trailer. Under Texas law, grand jurors cannot be related by blood or marriage. Known as "Operation Home Alone", law enforcement officials used the undercover operation to target suspects believed to have been preying on young adolescents online. (In Texas, the penalty for killing a stray cow is a felony with the same possible punishment as stealing one up to 10 years in jail.). KPD: Man charged in 2020 Killeen homicide case, First Cavalry Division reflects on shared history with Buffalo Soldiers, Ex-ABC journalist charged in child sexual exploitation case, Reader weighs in on BISD decision to allow staffers to carry guns, 10 Heights residents currently preparing to run in May 6 municipal election, Heights reader asserts injustice should never be the standard, Killeen 3rd-grader finds bullet at school, Killeen City Council candidates talk crime, other issues at newspaper forum, Killeen man accused of breaking into frozen treats shop, Killeen burglar headed to prison for 8 years, Cove Fire Department announces Young as new chief, Confederate controversy: Minor launches campaign to raise money for statue relocation. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. "In the past, we have heard public criticism to operations like this that amounted to this is just sex between consenting adults, but thats far from the truth," Chief Deputy T.J. Cruz said in a release. Rich said many of the arrests were the result of leads generated through reporting to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "Many prostitutes are themselves victims of human trafficking," Cruz said. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. / CBS Texas. The Sheriffs Department is also concerned with the potential connection between prostitution and human trafficking. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Simonsen said the county hasnt successfully empaneled a grand jury in about a year. Sarah Rumpf is a writer on the breaking news team for Fox News Digital. Busse, the sheriff, denied that to Baker. So we'll go at it from that aspect first. "We have no indication the circumstances of his arrest involved students," Brim said. Fort Worth youth pastor Lamarcus Strickland was also arrested, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. For a month-long operation, it's very representative of the vast number of people that are addicted to pornography, and what I believe is an epidemic in our country," said Jennifer Hohman, an advocate who helps women and children who have been exploited in sex trafficking. There are known incidents, though many go unreported, of johns being assaulted, robbed and, right here in Bell County, recently murdered, Cruz said. Baker wrote in the warrant that Jones told him during the interview at the sheriffs office that his understanding of the estray law is that if cattle are not marked, anyone can claim them., Jones told Baker the sheriff had given him permission to take strays to sale as long as they werent marked or branded. Keep it Clean. Ten people were arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77. "They can be subjected to physical and sexual assault, robbery, and even murder. The Dallas Police Department (DPD) said its Special Investigation Division ran an operation targeting online sex trafficking in the city of Dallas and Collin County. I positively identified the pair as being the same reddish-brown cow and calf I had released in Loving County, he wrote. Jones called up Alan Sparks, 64, the Wheat Ranch foreman, and asked for permission to try to catch the black bull. In Frisco, two hotels were used for an undercover operation resulting in the arrests of 46 men in only two days. BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. 2023 FOX Television Stations, UGA football player charged in connection with deadly crash, 'Peter Pan & Wendy': Disney+ shares 1st official trailer of live-action film, Coffins line stadium for migrants killed in shipwreck off Italy coast, 911 call center staffing shortage in Austin reflects nationwide trend, Ohio senators to propose rail safety bill after fiery train derailment, Man arrested for allegedly firing handgun at multiple people at Capital Plaza, Russell Crowe, girlfriend refused service at Australian restaurant for not meeting dress code, Hamptons trailer park home under contract for $3.75M, Dallas mayor calls on APD officers to work for Dallas Police Department instead, Good Samaritan who pinned down drunk driver after killing Euless cop: He wasnt going nowhere, LCRA parks near Austin offer archery, electric mountain bikes, kayaking and more, Austin Travels talks about visiting places in and around Nashville, TN, Meet the creatures of McKinney Roughs Nature Park near Bastrop, Another US agency assesses COVID-19 origin likely a Chinese 'lab leak': report, FDA approves combination flu-COVID test for home use, Governor Abbott gives 2023 State of the State Address, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson tests positive for COVID-19. 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. Baker took his case to a justice of the peace in Midland, nearly 100 miles away from Loving County, who issued the warrants for Jones, Medlin, Williams and Alvarado. Bell County residents, who suspect or have knowledge of human trafficking or are in need of assistance themselves, can reach out locally to Aware Central Texas at 254-813-0968, or can nationally report by calling the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or by texting "Help" to 233733 (BEFREE). They were afraid the bull would get in with their cattle, Jones replied. "By targeting those involved in this crime, we hope to disrupt this activity and provide assistance to human trafficking victims by getting them connected to the advocates and resources they need," said Hayes. "Those who traffic victims are the scourge of the earth, and we will continue to target those responsible for the trafficking and those who solicit sex from them.". The Solicitation of Prostitution charge is a State Jail Felony, police said. Baker alleged in the warrants that Medlin, 35, spotted three bulls and a heifer without markings roaming near the Pecos River in June in Reeves County. "There are known incidents, though many go unreported, of johns being assaulted, robbed and, right here in Bell County, recently murdered," Cruz said. 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. These are individuals that we've told our children are safe. Officials say six of the men were arrested the first day with four more being taken into custody on the second day of the operation. We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. 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