Gerardo Galvan and Alfonso Garcia (Source: Harris County Constable, Pct. 4)
HOUSTON - Two men have been arrested and charged with online solicitation of a minor following a joint undercover sting targeting child predators in north Harris County, law enforcement officials announced.
Undercover sting leads to arrests
What we know:
The operation was led by the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s High Tech Crimes Unit and Special Operations Unit, working in collaboration with the Klein ISD Police Department and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
During the operation, undercover officers posed as juveniles on social media platforms to identify adults seeking sexual contact with minors. Authorities alleged that Gerardo Galvan, 38, and Alfonso Garcia, 28, communicated online with investigators they believed to be children and subsequently traveled to an undisclosed location in north Harris County to meet them.
Both men face charges of online solicitation of a minor and remain held in jail on $100,000 bond each. Garcia's case has been assigned to the 496th District Court of Harris County, while Galvan's case will be heard in the 208th District Court.
Following their arrests, investigators also determined that Garcia was subject to an outstanding immigration warrant issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in the operation, including the Houston Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Harris County District Attorney's Office, and Montgomery County Constable Precincts 1, 2, 3, and 4.
What they're saying:
"My office maintains a firm stance against persons who prey on our children," Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said in a statement. "I will continue to provide resources to my detectives to identify, locate, and apprehend those who victimize our most vulnerable citizens."
The Source: Information in this article is from Harris County Constable, Precinct 4 Mark Herman's Office.