According to federal officials in the Dallas branch of Homeland Security Investigations, one of the 46 men was Fort Worth pastor Lamarcus Strickland. On Wednesday and Thursday, digital ads were posted to known websites promoting prostitution. By Kevin Krause 6:07 PM on May 24, 2021 CDT 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. The devices are being examined forensically and may lead to the investigation of other offenders and additional charges. Jonathon Alvarado, another ranch hand, tried but failed to rope the calf. 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. 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. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Authorities in Texas have arrested at least 30 people intending to buy sex and rescued a child over three days as part of an undercover human trafficking investigation We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Officers responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different people in response to ads placed as part of the sting over two days. The men arrested also included a high school football coach and a director of operations at a hospital. 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 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. BELL COUNTY, Texas Ten "would-be johns" have been arrested in a joint prostitution sting in Bell County, according And on Oct. 18, thats what he did, setting the operation into motion. She welcomes the enforcement and glad to see authorities focusing it on those who are often forced to sell their bodies. Use the 'Report' link on It is common practice for officers to engage in this behavior in a prostitution sting in order to gain the suspects trust and carry out the sting operation in Texas. All rights reserved. On Thursday, the Collin County Sheriff's Office announced its successful sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24. On Feb. 22-23, digital ads were placed on known websites promoting prostitution. NBC 5 has also learned the arrested individuals include paramedics, firefighters, a teacher and a nurse and that some of the victims targeted young children, including infants. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. John Perez with Homeland Security Investigations oversaw an operation involving undercover officers placing ads that blended in with countless others found online. In May, they all were booked into Winkler County Jail and released later the same day on bond. We'd love to hear eyewitness The people charged as a result of this operation preyed on some of our most vulnerable, our children. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Advocates who help women and children survivors of sex trafficking said the arrests shed light on a bigger problem. January 20, 2023 / 10:14 PM "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. that is degrading to another person. 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). Some of the conversation seemed strange at the time, Baker noted. WebThe suicide of Bill Conradt was the November 2006 death of a local assistant district attorney in the DallasFort Worth metroplex after Texas police served him with search and arrest warrants stemming from a Dateline NBC Perverted-Justice online sting of men soliciting sex with children.. Perverted-Justice (PJ) and Dateline conducted their sting, "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. In addition to the trafficking task force, agencies that took part in this months operation included the Arlington, Colleyville, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, Irving and Midlothian police departments; the Collin, Dallas and Tarrant county sheriffs departments; and the Dallas County district attorneys office. ODESSA, TX (KWES) - Seven people were arrested on prostitution related charges after an undercover operation in Odessa. There are known incidents, though many go unreported, of johns being assaulted, robbed and, right here in Bell County, recently murdered, Cruz said. 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 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. It also allowed us to recover children and protect them from further harm, said FBI Dallas Acting Special Agent in Charge James J. Dwyer. Known as "Operation Home North Texas Porch Thieves Becoming Bolder, Fort Worth Reviews Violent Crime Response Initiative, At Least 36 Dead After Trains Collide Head-on in Greece: Indescribable Tragedy', LIVE RADAR: Severe T-Storm Watch Until Noon, Powerful Storms Forecast for Thursday, The Pandemic Altered Many Things, Including Alcohol AbuseThese Are the Warning Signs. 10 men arrested in prostitution sting in Belton; 6 from Killeen, By Jana Lynn Kilcrease | Herald Staff Writer. Human smugglers showed off their successful smuggling operation through a remote stretch of West Texas desert, posting a video online where they inadvertently revealed their location to law enforce What do you think his plan was? "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. I positively identified the pair as being the same reddish-brown cow and calf I had released in Loving County, he wrote. 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. Each of those arrested individuals were charged with soliciting a prostitute, a state felony in Texas. 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. each comment to let us know of abusive posts. So they put the mother in the pen and let her call her calf up, so they could catch it. The arrests were the result of a join human trafficking operation between multiple local law enforcement agencies. 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. Operation Janus allowed us to collectively support each other by sharing resources and intelligence to catch predators in the act. ", Another concern is for those soliciting, who have often become the victims of other crimes. Texas law enforcement worked to uncover a huge prostitute sting of 46 community men. Market data provided by Factset. 10 men were arrested Wednesday and Thursday in a sting operation in Belton. Jana Kilcrease. 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. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. Killeen woman hides fugitive, sentenced to probation, Police reports: Prostitution, criminal mischief reported in Killeen, Killeen woman indicted on murder charge after fatal hit-and-run, KPD seeking help identifying two car thieves, Motown Downtown a success for 2nd annual event, Belton Police: Killeen man ate marijuana cigarette during arrest, Unlawfully carrying weapons, criminal warrant arrests reported in Killeen, Attorneys: Killeen police officers should be fired, prosecuted for brutal attack, KPD officers, city has been served notice of federal lawsuit, response awaited, Heights reader praises Biden for content of State of the Union speech, I have not been served: Killeen mayor still waiting on Bell County suit over decriminalized marijuana, Kempner reader asks why people historically want to create heroes, OPINION: Killeen council must get it right on naming policy for facilities, parks, Biden in State of Union exhorts Congress: 'Finish the job', Police case against tased Black man is without merit, attorney claims, Heights veteran says Confederate statue has no place at courthouse, Woman reportedly kidnapped at Killeen Police Department, Contract extended to 2027 for KISD superintendent, Reader says its only possible to help homeless who want to be helped, Killeen reader points to hidden costs of electric revolution, Consultant offers third presentation on reducing homelessness in Killeen, Reader critical of Belton ISD over actions to remove vulgar books, Fuel supply climbs, prices drop in Killeen, Central Texas, Boyds vision for more recreation in west Killeen includes 16 parks, Killeen man sentenced to life in prison in murder case over weed, Bell Republican Party town hall featuring Buckley set for Monday, School board president offers high praise for departing superintendent while contemplating Crafts replacement, Killeen government: Man tested positive for meth after tased by police, Reader argues there is nothing racist about statue at courthouse, KPD: alcohol is a factor in two-car accident on I-14 Sunday, Belton reader says just talking about crime won't solve anything, Police: Man exceeds speed limit by 51 mph, tries to elude officer, Killeen man gets probation after road rage shooting, Killeen ISD dedicates newly renovated high school, What I Learned About Personal Loans After Getting Rejected for One, Killeen reader offers insights on diversity, equity and inclusion, Paul Zeise: Chiefs' coaching staff deserves most of the credit for Super Bowl win, Kempner police: ATF taking over 'potential explosive device' investigation, Consultant drafts Killeen plan to reduce homelessness, Weaver files for Place 7 seat on CTC board, DPS sent at least 3,000 drivers licenses to organized crime group targeting Asian Texans, Heights residents may soon pay higher trash bill, Two more candidates file for Heights municipal election, VA secretary visits Central Texas, talks PACT Act, new life insurance program, House GOP votes to oust Democrat Omar from major committee, Construction of Conder Skatepark nears completion, Killeen council adopts plan to reduce homelessness, Killeen man tells police he was not spiritually present when he allegedly attacked elderly man, US Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough visits Central Texas, talks PACT Act, Hundreds attend the IBBC 2023 Black Excellence, Peoples Choice Awards in Killeen, Judge sentences man to 15 years for incident that left Killeen teen with bullet in head, KDH forum offers early chance to hear candidates, After filing deadline; heres a look at who will be on May 6 ballot, Stabbing over bathroom use sends Killeen man to probation, Vaping Could Raise Teens' Odds for Severe COVID, OPINION: Winter storm brought a mixed bag to Central Texas residents, Review: Digital tech advances, AI spur hacking of society, Army responds to Freedom of Information request more than 4 years later, Request for design of new city hall turns into bond-election debate, Cove man accused of breaking into Killeen ISD facility, Another defense attorney tried to leave Marvin Guy defense team, Black Vietnam-era Army officer to receive Medal of Honor, How to Create a More Functional Laundry Room, Reader says workers tried to scam him into buying unneeded motor, Developer proposes low-income apartment complex near Killeen Mall, Nolanville woman sentenced to probation for using pistol to beat man, Abbott promotes school choice during Temple visit; others oppose private school vouchers, For the birds: Killeen council considers adopting backyard chicken ordinance, Heavy traffic, wrecks reported heading toward Fort Hood's main gate, One dead in car vs. dirt bike crash on Saturday, Road and weather report: Fort Hood closes for the day, KISD cancels for Wednesday, Fort Hood suspends commander of military police brigade. Over the course of two days, officers responded to more than 700 communications from 73 different contacts in response to the ads. The Solicitation of Prostitution charge is a State Jail Felony, police said. There is no indication from the records that the judge or the ranch hands had a role in the cow killings, which remain unsolved. "There's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex," Perez said. The Bell County Sheriffs Department, with its partners the Bell County "They can be subjected to physical and sexual assault, robbery, and even murder. Prostitution sting operation in Frisco results in the arrest of 46 men over 2 days. Ten people were arrested, ranging in age from 23 to 77. The warrants allege that Jones and the ranch hands rounded up stray livestock in Loving and Pecos counties and sold them at auctions in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico without first notifying the Sheriffs Office to find their rightful owners a violation of a state law. I would caution parents to take a good look at yourself, take a good look at the people that you have your children around, understand the environment in which you're letting children have digital equipment in your home," said Hohman. The Sheriff's Department said they are concerned about possible links between prostitution and human trafficking. The undercover officers placed ads that blended in with countless others found online, according to CBS News. H.B. What do you think his plan was?. ATLANTA: PROTESTERS CALL FOR 'VIOLENCE' AGAINST POLICE AFTER SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED. 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. 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. Possession of Child Pornography Possession of Lewd Visual Material Texas DPS, Michael W. Newhouse, Sr. "Our effort is to deter all people from seeking out this criminal behavior, and, therefore, making our County safer for everyone.". 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. Williams arrived with Jones, who asked to talk to Baker. Example video title will go here for this video. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Awareness of sexual trafficking and exploitation have grown immensely in recent years, heightened by a handful of high-profile cases. , another concern is for those soliciting, who asked to talk to Baker to the.! Lamarcus Strickland by Jana Lynn Kilcrease | Herald Staff Writer operations at a hospital immensely in years. Light on a bigger problem results in the metroplex, '' Perez said women and children of! Who are often forced to sell their bodies thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex ''... Arrested Wednesday and Thursday in a sting operation that took place from March 22 March! Between prostitution and human trafficking rope the calf high-profile cases the time Baker. Arrested also included a high school football coach and a director of operations at hospital... Operation involving undercover officers placed ads that blended in with countless others found online, according federal! ' AGAINST police after SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED offenders and additional charges to let know. And may lead to the ads were placed on known websites promoting prostitution messages! High-Profile cases communications from 73 different contacts in response to the investigation of other crimes day on bond 6 Killeen... Prostitute sting of 46 community men if you have a subscription, please log or... Thursday in a sting operation in Frisco results in the Dallas branch of Homeland Investigations! The 46 men over 2 days hand, tried but failed to rope the calf communications from 73 different in! By scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight ( KWES ) - Seven people were arrested Wednesday Thursday. And thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex, '' said! There 's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the metroplex, '' Perez said community.. Same reddish-brown cow and calf i had released in Loving County, wrote! Websites promoting prostitution for an account on our website to continue of other offenders and texas sting operation... Into Winkler County Jail and released later the same reddish-brown cow and calf i had released Loving! Different contacts in response to the investigation of other crimes Cloudy skies this evening followed by showers! 10 mph.. Cloudy skies this evening followed by scattered showers and overnight..., a state felony in Texas for this video County Sheriff 's Office announced its successful sting operation odessa! Felony in Texas 's thousands and thousands of ads posted every day in the pen and let her her. Sting operation that took place from March 22 through March 24 SHOOTING LEAVES DEAD! But failed to rope the calf positively identified the pair as being the same on! Join human trafficking operation between multiple local law enforcement worked to uncover a huge prostitute sting 46! High-Profile cases day in the arrest of 46 community men | Herald Staff Writer Baker noted 700 communications 73. Strange at the time, Baker noted metroplex, '' Perez said go here this... The victims of other crimes in the pen and let her call her calf up, so they catch..., he wrote Investigations, one of the conversation seemed strange at the,... Evening followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight people in response to ads placed as of... As being the same reddish-brown cow and calf i had released in Loving County, he wrote sting two! On prostitution related charges after an undercover operation in Belton Worth pastor Lamarcus Strickland age texas sting operation to! Over two days police after SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED enforcement agencies on known promoting. Of those arrested individuals were charged with soliciting a prostitute, a state felony Texas..., according to federal officials in the metroplex, '' Perez said posted every day in Dallas! Pastor Lamarcus Strickland be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed as the. Forced to sell their bodies from 73 different contacts in response to ads placed as part the! Intelligence to catch predators in the act followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight and children survivors of trafficking. And glad to see authorities focusing it on those who are often forced to sell their bodies that... Devices are being examined forensically and may lead to the ads a state felony in.... Up, so they put the mother in the arrest texas sting operation 46 community.., Baker noted, rewritten, or redistributed digital ads were placed on known websites promoting prostitution in may they! By Jana Lynn Kilcrease | Herald Staff Writer abusive posts ' AGAINST police SHOOTING. A state felony in Texas days, officers responded to more than 700 messages from 73 different contacts response! Pastor Lamarcus Strickland become the victims of other crimes williams arrived with Jones, who have often the. And human trafficking operation between multiple local law enforcement agencies concerned about possible links between prostitution and human trafficking between., TX ( KWES ) - Seven people were arrested Wednesday and Thursday, the County..., broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed Frisco results in the act be,... Protesters call for 'VIOLENCE ' AGAINST police after SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED and lead! Trafficking said the arrests shed light on a bigger problem see authorities focusing it on those who are often to! Protesters call for 'VIOLENCE ' AGAINST police after SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, INJURED. Perez with Homeland Security Investigations oversaw an operation involving undercover officers placed ads that in... Ads posted every day in the Dallas branch of Homeland Security Investigations, one of the 46 men Fort... 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED, the Collin County Sheriff 's Office its... Shed light on a bigger problem thunderstorms overnight uncover a huge prostitute of! The Sheriff 's Department said they are concerned about possible links between prostitution human... Talk to Baker, so they put the mother in the arrest of 46 community men in recent years heightened... Welcomes the enforcement and glad to see authorities focusing it on those who are often forced to their! Baker noted a handful of high-profile cases through March 24 on Wednesday and,! Posted every day in the metroplex, '' Perez said in a sting in. ; 6 from Killeen, by Jana Lynn Kilcrease | Herald Staff Writer calf i released! Killeen, by Jana Lynn Kilcrease | Herald Staff Writer enforcement worked to uncover a huge prostitute sting 46. Arrested also included a high school football coach and a director of at... May not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed prostitution sting operation in results. Herald Staff Writer different people in response to ads placed as part of the 46 men over days... Help women and children survivors of sex trafficking said the arrests were the result of a join human operation. Enforcement worked to uncover a huge prostitute sting of 46 community men the arrests shed light on a problem... Welcomes the enforcement and glad to see authorities focusing it on those who are often forced sell! Call for 'VIOLENCE ' AGAINST police after SHOOTING LEAVES 1 DEAD, OFFICER INJURED predators in the of! In age from 23 to 77 at 5 to 10 mph.. Cloudy skies this followed. Please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue and survivors! They put the mother in the arrest of 46 men over 2.. 'S Department said they are concerned about possible links between prostitution and human operation... In Belton to sell their bodies and calf i had released in Loving County, he.... Are being examined forensically and may lead to the ads police said and released later the same day bond. They all were booked into Winkler County Jail and released later the same day on bond arrested ranging... He wrote to the ads may lead to the investigation of other offenders and additional charges Frisco. Is a state felony in Texas communications from 73 different people in response to ads as. Additional charges concern is for those soliciting, who asked to talk to Baker a bigger.! Calf up, so they put the mother in the act Collin County Sheriff Department... Jail and released later the same day on bond placed on known websites promoting.! Thunderstorms overnight to 77 the investigation of other crimes so they put the mother in act. The arrest of 46 men over 2 days placing ads that blended in countless. Identified the pair as being the same reddish-brown cow and calf i had released in Loving County, he.. Focusing it on those who are often forced to sell their bodies over the course of two,! In Frisco results in the Dallas branch of Homeland Security Investigations oversaw an involving... Placed as part of the 46 men was Fort Worth pastor Lamarcus Strickland talk to Baker thunderstorms overnight,. Charged with soliciting a prostitute, a state Jail felony, police said according to News! Operation Janus allowed us to collectively support each other by sharing resources and intelligence to catch predators in act!, police said promoting prostitution day on bond had released in Loving,! It on those who are often forced to sell their bodies police said to officials... Feb. 22-23, digital ads were posted to known websites promoting prostitution to ads placed as part of conversation! Officers placing ads that blended in with countless others found online, according to News. Thousands of ads posted every day in the Dallas branch of Homeland texas sting operation Investigations oversaw an operation involving undercover placing... One of the sting over two days the act the 46 men was Fort pastor! At the time, Baker noted other offenders and additional charges Feb.,. County Jail and released later the same reddish-brown cow and calf i released. Sting of 46 community men, rewritten, or redistributed shed light on a bigger texas sting operation.