Under Texas law, grand jurors cannot be related by blood or marriage. According to LPD, the sting was conducted on February 9 in the 5800 block of 6th Street. Over the course of two days, officers responded to more than 700 communications from 73 different contacts in response to the ads. or anything. 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. No, the sheriff replied, hed never gotten a report of stray cattle from anyone on the judges ranch, the records state. January 20, 2023 / 10:14 PM First published on January 20, 2023 / 10:14 PM. What do you think his plan was? What's next? Officers then responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to the ads over two days. Anyone who is a victim or has information about other local sex trafficking cases is urged to call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733). BELL COUNTY, Texas - 10 people ranging in age from 23 to 77 from all over Central Texas were arrested following a prostitution sting in Bell County. You go ahead., Alvarado, Jones ranch hand, roped the bull in a pasture and helped load him into a trailer. Additionally, one of the men received a charge of resisting arrest. Anyone who is or who knows a potential victim in this, or any other case of sex trafficking or human trafficking or has any information regarding this or any other investigation can contact Homeland Security Investigations Toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-347-2423. "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 told Fox 4. One was also charged with resisting arrest. Jonathon Alvarado, another ranch hand, tried but failed to rope the calf. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Among the 46 men included a high school football coach, a youth pastor and a director of operations at a hospital. During this weeks operation, one of the defendants negotiated a price but arrived with no money. I never, never, ever had a conversation about stray cattle with the judge.. According to federal officials in the Dallas branch of Homeland Security Investigations, one of the 46 men was Fort Worth pastor Lamarcus Strickland. Don't Threaten. In Frisco, two hotels were used for an undercover operation resulting in the arrests of 46 men in only two days. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Can I still get Beyonc tickets? 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. They can be subjected to physical and sexual assault, robbery, and even murder.. Market data provided by Factset. Additionally, one of them received a charge of resisting arrest, but Bell County did not identify which. The names of the suspects were not released by federal authorities. The operation coincided with the Department of Homeland Securitys Blue Campaign to highlight Human Trafficking Prevention Month, which is January. So both forensically, reactively and proactively, we go after these individuals who are exploiting our children," said Detective Jeff Rich, with the Plano Police Department. "We had a high school teacher, who is also a football coach, we had a youth pastor," Perez said. There are resources for Bell County residents who have knowledge of human trafficking or are in need themselves. These are individuals that we've told our children are safe. The Central Texas sting operation from August 1 to August 4 involved Bell County investigators posing online as a juvenile under 17 years old. "These predators are very sophisticated in their use of technology and exploit online forums to target and communicate with children. So we'll go at it from that aspect first. The Dallas area has a problem with sex trafficking, and authorities are using sting operations among other things to crack down. In 2021, Collin County officials made 18 arrests during 'Operation Safe Halloween' and seized a number of electronic devices used to contact young children. The moment has gone viral on TikTok with more than one million views. 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. 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. Police arrested 23 people after an investigation at short Ten people were arrested, "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. Weeks passed. But for weeks, the black bull continued to elude Jones and his ranch hands, even though they put out feed and water, Baker wrote. 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. "They can be subjected to physical and sexual assault, robbery, and even murder. Officers said they received over 700 communications from 73 different people over the course of the two days. A high school teacher and football coach. 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). Share with Us. We also had a semi-pro hockey player. Investigators said the alleged list of crimes ranges from meeting victims to possessing harmful material on electronics. What will ending the COVID-19 emergency look like in the US. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. person will not be tolerated. 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. Texas father sings 'worship song' to premature son who was given 21% survival rate, in a massive undercover prostitution sting in Texas, resigned after his arrest for solicitation of a prostitute, Fort Worth youth pastor Lamarcus Strickland, the Department of Homeland Securitys Blue Campaign. These were among the 46 men arrested in a massive 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. 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. Jones sold the cattle at auction in New Mexico and sent the money to a boys ranch in Amarillo, according to the warrants. But what do they mean? This is the second extensive commercial sex sting operation involving North Texas suburbs in recent months. ), Three days later, Sparks saw the judge at the courthouse and they chatted briefly about the bull, Sparks said. Robertson is with POETIC, a Dallas based organization that helps women and girls who are victims of sex trafficking. Over the course of the operation, which took place across Feb. 22 and 23, female deputies posed as prostitutes in digital ads on websites reportedly known for promoting prostitution, said the 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. The men had arranged online to meet at the hotels intending to pay for sex, authorities said. Each of the arrested individuals was charged with Soliciting a Prostitute, a state felony in Texas. Busse, the sheriff, denied that to Baker. The men looking to pay for sex responded to the ads, arrived at the hotels in Frisco and Southlake, and were greeted by police officers waiting for them. They can be subjected to physical and sexual assault, robbery and even murder.. All rights reserved, Following a Delivery Truck? This fall, Jones is running unopposed for re-election, but some of his allies, including his sister, are facing challengers for the first time in years, amid heated debate over how the county should be run. It also allowed us to recover children and protect them from further harm, said FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Dwyer. On Jan. 6, the same day that Sparks and Jones chatted at the courthouse, Baker got a tip that the black bull was en route from Jones ranch to the Big Spring Sale Barn. Agents in both Texas and Mississippi teamed up making a total of 15 arrests. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. 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. What do we tell our kids? They may be geared to catching online predators using sites like BackPage.com, drug dealers or johns using Fort Worth youth pastor Lamarcus Strickland was also arrested, according to the Tarrant County Sheriff's Office. North Texas Porch Thieves Becoming Bolder, Fort Worth Reviews Violent Crime Response Initiative. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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.. Baker asked. "Our primary goal is to protect children. Last year, a 15-year-old girl disappeared from a Dallas Mavericks game at American Airlines Center and was found a few days later in Oklahoma City; three people were arrested on charges of human trafficking. Known as "Operation Home Scott Wooden was arrested on Feb. 11 during a prostitution sting operation conducted by the Polk County Sheriffs Department. About two weeks later, Baker asked Williams to come to the sheriffs office for an interview. Officers responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to ads placed as part of the sting over two days. MENTONE, Texas On a December day in 2021, Loving County Judge Skeet Jones, 71, climbed atop an oilfield tank surrounded by wide-open Texas desert dressed in a business suit and toting a pair of binoculars, hoping to spot an elusive black bull. There was a problem saving your notification. Although the names of the 46 suspects have not been released, the Lewisville Independent School District confirmed Marcus High School teacher and football coach Cecil Tim Morrison was among them. Hohman said it's important for people to be educated on the topic to protect themselves and their children. He knows.. 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. Prostitution sting operation in Frisco results in the arrest of 46 men over 2 days. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. ", Another concern is for those soliciting, who have often become the victims of other crimes. Operation Janus allowed us to collectively support each other by sharing resources and intelligence to catch predators in the act. 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. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. 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. 10 men were arrested Wednesday and Thursday in a sting operation in Belton. BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. When police have a strong suspicion that an individual has a predisposition to commit a crime, they may set up a sting operation to The documents detail a yearlong investigation, replete with confidential informants and a sting operation involving a reddish-brown cow, her calf and the black yearling bull all equipped by the special rangers with microchips. Generally cloudy. Dallas police officer fired, another suspended over separate incidents, officials say, Thunderstorms roll through North Texas. Jana Kilcrease. Chance of rain 40%. In Frisco, two hotels were used for the undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security. We'd love to hear eyewitness BELTON, Texas (FOX 44) A prostitution sting in Bell County has resulted in ten arrests. Our effort is to deter all people from seeking out this criminal behavior, and, therefore, making our County safer for everyone.. And the bull was eating his grass, he added. The Sheriff's Department said they are concerned about possible links between prostitution and human trafficking. So that's why we have to educate. Please enter valid email address to continue. Some of the conversation seemed strange at the time, Baker noted. And then the ripple effect of that is we'll catch people that are making these types of offenses. "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. ", Skinner urges parents to talk with their children about their devices and to "report any suspicious activity to their nearest law enforcement agency.". Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. Police arrested 23 people after an investigation at short-term rentals in Plano and Dallas. These were among the 46 men arrested in a massive undercover prostitution sting this month in Frisco and Southlake, local and federal authorities announced. In a previous sting, we arrested an individual with body bags, duct tape and bleach in his trunk, Cruz said. 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. Threats of harming another A high school teacher and football coach. Sparks recalled the judge saying, Well, hes going to market., Sparks, whos lived in Loving County for more than three decades, said the first step after finding cattle is clear: You turn them over to the sheriff., Asked if thats common knowledge, Sparks said: Hes a judge! North Texas is under storm risk levels 2, 3 and 4. Galveston police along with Texas DPS, Galveston County Sheriff's Office, and Homeland Security made 14 arrests with 16 total charges after conducting an operation to target online solicitation of minors and solicitation of prostitution. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. 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. Officials in El Paso, Midland, Ector and Tom Green recovered 70 children ranging in age from 10 to 17 who were victims of sex trafficking, physical and sexual abuse, according to a press release from the Department of Homeland Security. WebLike many other states, Texas police run plenty of sting operations. 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. Sarah Bahari is a trending news reporter. On Thursday, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24. The Dallas Police Department's Special Investigation Division ran an operation targeting online sex trafficking in the city of Dallas and Collin County. Possession of Child Pornography Possession of Lewd Visual Material Texas DPS, Michael W. Newhouse, Sr. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Example video title will go here for this video. "There's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex," Perez said. Keep it Clean. In May, they all were booked into Winkler County Jail and released later the same day on bond. In the past, we have heard public criticism to operations like this that amounted to this is just sex between consenting adults, Chief Deputy TJ Cruz said, but thats far from the truth., In a previous sting, we arrested an individual with body bags, duct tape, bleach in his trunk, Cruz continued. Residents can contact Aware Central Texas at 254-813-0968 locally or can report nationally by calling the Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or by texting "Help" to 233733. The men face charges of solicitation of prostitution, a felony in Texas punishable with up two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, When you think of trafficking, you think of streets in Dallas or Fort Worth or strip clubs, said Agent John Perez, who oversees the North Texas Trafficking Task Force, part of Homeland Security Investigations. What is the biggest issue affecting Killeen? National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. "I'm very happy to see those soliciting being prosecuted because if there's no demand there's no supply," said Chelsea Robertson. The Department reported that six people were arrested on the first day of the operation, and four were arrested on the second day. 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