KERRVILLE, Texas – Five men were arrested and charged in connection with an online child sex sting conducted by the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies.
According to a news release, the suspects were arrested after talking online with officers who they thought were underage males and females and tried to arrange meetings with them.
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The operation was conducted over several days and ended Wednesday with the arrests of the following individuals:
- Joseph James Valles, 52, of Kerrville, is charged with prostitution (Person Under 18). He is being held on a $50,000 bond. Valles has a prior conviction for capital murder.
- Adrian Steven Rodriguez, 31, of Kerrville, is charged with online solicitation of a minor/sexual contact. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
- Cody Garrett Bowen, 22, of Kerrville, is charged with online solicitation of a minor/sexual contact. He is being held on a $50,000 bond.
- Cesar Alvarez, 48, of San Antonio, is charged with online solicitation of prostitution. He is being held without bond.
- Jorge Pichardo, 42, of San Antonio, is charged with online solicitation of a minor/sexual contact and resisting arrest. He is being held without bond.
Additional charges may be added as this investigation continues.
”This operation represents a new era in confronting those who victimize children in our area,” said Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. “This multi-agency effort produced multiple arrests of people trying to meet underage victims. Using digital, in-person, and online methods, we have prevented immediate and ongoing threats. Operations of this kind combat human trafficking, child sex crime, among other criminal activity.”
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