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BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -A Bryan man already facing an online solicitation charge is now accused of possessing a sizable amount of child pornography, according to 82 pages of arrest documents obtained by KBTX.
The case has sparked renewed debate about the role of private citizen groups in pursuing alleged predators.
Police say 78-year-old Frank Lopez Jr. was first arrested July 28 after the national group Predator Poachers reported him to authorities. Investigators later obtained a warrant and searched his iPad and cell phone, where they say they found 35 videos classified as child sexual abuse material.
He was previously charged after investigators said he attempted to solicit sex from someone he believed was a 12-year-old. He was released from jail on bond following that arrest.
Lopez, who had been released on bond after his first arrest, was taken back into custody last week and is now being held on bonds totaling $515,000.
Shane Phelps, a Bryan attorney, author, and former first assistant district attorney, said the state’s online solicitation of a minor law grew out of a local case he helped prosecute more than a decade ago.
“Prior to the online solicitation statute, we didn’t really have any effective ways to prosecute people who were online looking for underage people,” Phelps said. “This gave law enforcement a clear tool to pursue those cases.”
Phelps said cases similar to the Lopez case highlight potential challenges when individuals outside law enforcement initiate stings and handle evidence.
“It’s not per se illegal, but it’s problematic,” Phelps said. “If evidence isn’t gathered properly, it may not be admissible. And in some cases, private citizens could even face liability if they cross legal lines.”
Predator Poachers founder Alex Rosen said his group, which began in Houston in 2019, sees its work as supplementing law enforcement, not replacing it. Rosen says Predator Poachers have been involved in arrests in 48 states and says their work has contributed to more than 200 convictions in 42 states.
“We don’t see ourselves as stepping on toes,” Rosen said. “Out of hundreds of cases we’ve worked, fewer than 10 were already being investigated by police. When they are, our information just becomes extra evidence.”
Rosen said his group’s tactics are designed to avoid jeopardizing prosecutions. He says they create undercover decoy profiles, portraying minors, to catch suspects who initiate conversations. Rosen says they allow suspects to incriminate themselves rather than leading them into sexual discussions.
“We never threaten anyone, and we always let them know they’re free to go,” Rosen said. “We try to conduct ourselves in a way that mirrors law enforcement and then turn everything over once police arrive.”
During confrontations, Rosen says they never threaten suspects and always remind them they are “free to leave.” he added that once admissions are made, they call law enforcement and hand over the information. Rosen says in some jurisdictions, like Amarillo, they’ve built ongoing relationships with law enforcement.
While some community members and online followers support groups like Predator Poachers, Phelps said the risk is that unintended efforts could compromise cases or even expose the groups themselves to legal problems.
“The bottom line is this: people may be well-intentioned, but if they’re not trained, they can compromise a criminal case,” Phelps said. “This sort of activity is best left to law enforcement.”
Rosen says the group plans to continue its work and keep an eye on the Brazos Valley.
“It’s truly a team effort, and there are problems in society that need to be addressed, and I want to be a problem solver. I want to be part of the solution,” Rosen added.
The one-hour video of the sting has drawn more than 57,000 views online in just three days. For more information or to support Predator Poachers, visit their website.
If you suspect child exploitation or online solicitation, resources are available.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children operates the CyberTipline at 1-800-843-5678 and online at report.cybertip.org
Locally, suspected abuse can be reported to law enforcement, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400, or the FBI Houston-Bryan Field Office at 713-693-5000.
Officials encourage parents and guardians to speak regularly with children about online safety and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.
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