Authorities say they have made a slew of arrests in a monthslong operation aiming to intercept child predators in Texas.
KERRVILLE, Texas — The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office says the arrested 18 people after completing a monthslong operation to intercept those seeking out minors to attempt sex crimes.
KCSO says they communicated with dozens of individuals during the course of the operation who were actively seeking out sexual activities with underage people.
The operation led to the arrests of 18 individuals after they allegedly communicated with undercover investigators while trying to meet with minors for sexual conduct.
Authorities released the following names of the arrested individuals and the charges they are facing:
- Jeremy Joe Lortie, 46, of Kerrville, on two counts of online solicitation of a minor. Mr. Lortie was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bonds were set at $45,000.
- Rodrigo Mejia Martinez, 38, of Mountain Home, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Martinez was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $50,000.
- Alvaro Huerta, 30, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Huerta was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $50,000.
- Rex Keith Herl, 55, of Ingram, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Herl was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $20,000.
- Travis Jackson, 63, of Ingram, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Jackson was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $50,000.
- Jeremiah Michael Welch, 41, of Fair Oaks Ranch, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct, and one count of failure to comply/register as a sex offender. Mr. Welch was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bonds were set at $210,000.
- Ahren Lee Bell, 49, of Fredericksburg, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Bell was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $50,000.
- Scott Allen Sachs, 69, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Sachs was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
- Jeremiah William McLaughlin, 38, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor. Mr. McLaughlin was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
- Garrett S. Brown, 35, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Brown was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
- Jimmy Alcorta, 53, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Alcorta was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $40,000.
- Andy West Moore, 47, of Mountain Home, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct, and one count of Online Solicitation of a Minor/Sexual Contact- Enhanced. Mr. Moore was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bonds were set at $95,000.
- Michael Edwards Saur, 43, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Saur was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
- Chance Austin Eaton, 30, of Ingram, on one count of online solicitation of a minor. Mr. Eaton was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $20,000.
- Fred W Stephenson, 67, of Kerrville, on two counts of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Stephenson was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bonds were set at $130,000. Mr. Stephenson was also wanted on an existing forgery charge.
- Matthew Hayden Clark, 26, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Clark was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bonds were set at $30,000. Mr. Stephenson was also wanted on prior traffic warrants.
- Carl Dean Stewart, 66, of Center Point, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Stewart was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $75,000.
- Ricky Navarro, 37, of Kerrville, on one count of online solicitation of a minor/sexual conduct. Mr. Navarro was booked into the Kerr County Jail. Bond was set at $25,000.
Authorities say additional charges may be added as the investigation continues, and all suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
“Our investigators are doing the tough, often unseen work to keep Kerr County’s children safe from online threats,” said Sheriff Larry Leitha. “While strong law enforcement and prosecutions are essential, that’s only part of the solution. Parents and caregivers play a vital role too. It’s important to stay aware of what kids are doing online—sometimes even seemingly harmless apps have hidden chat or social features that can put them at risk. We’re committed to staying vigilant and acting decisively against anyone who tries to exploit minors.”
