BURLESON COUNTY, Texas (KBTX) – The Burleson County Sheriff’s Office provided a significant update in its ongoing mission to safeguard children from online predators, revealing the arrest of eight people following an intensive month-long operation.
Sheriff Bill Rios said the initiative is a continuous fight, and the department has an unwavering commitment to protecting the community’s youth.
“Every predator we take off the streets is one less child that is exposed to this,” Sheriff Rios stated.
Throughout October, Burleson County deputies worked behind screens, identifying and apprehending individuals attempting to exploit children online.
“October was a big month,” Sheriff Rios said. “The investigator got here, they were just getting their feet wet, and then they finally got into it in October, and it was a good month to take some of these child predators off the streets.”
The operation resulted in seven arrests for solicitation of a minor and one arrest for prostitution.
Sheriff Rios hopes these arrests send a clear message.
“You’re not going to mess with our babies,” Rios said. “Once we hunt them down, we will put them in jail, and then we’ll prosecute them and there’s there’s no exceptions. There’s no excuses.”
The success of this initiative was made possible by the collaborative efforts of several law enforcement agencies extending beyond Burleson County borders.
Sheriff Rios expressed gratitude for these partnerships, saying, “It’s a good feeling to know that our partners are out there ready to help us.”
This dedication resonates deeply within the community. Ashley Morton, a parent of three in Burleson County, echoed the importance of these efforts for their small community.
“I don’t just have one kid that’s going to be going to school here, but multiple, and just looking out for all the kids in the community means a lot to me,” Morton said.
The Sheriff’s Office confirms that this vital initiative is only gaining momentum and will continue indefinitely, ensuring a safer online environment for the children of Burleson County.
“As long as I’m sheriff here, we will protect our babies,” Sheriff Rios said.
Copyright 2025 KBTX. All rights reserved.
