MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – A Montgomery County Library employee has been arrested for allegedly soliciting and possessing nude photographs of children from around the U.S. and the world.
Timothy Jerome Alcala, of Conroe, was arrested on Aug. 22 on 10 counts of promotion and possession of child pornography by the Montgomery County Internet Crimes Against Children Division.
Investigators said Alcala, who was employed by the Montgomery County Library System and would deliver books to libraries around the county, was using various Facebook accounts to harass and threaten underage kids into sending him nude photos.
During the investigation, officers said from 2010 until the present, Alcala contacted hundreds of victims throughout the U.S. and around the world in an attempt to get nude photos. Many of the child victims lived in Pennsylvania, Michigan and even Australia.
"We're trying to verify the (victim's) identities and addresses but we do believe there are possible local victims," Montgomery County Chief Prosecutor Warren Diepraam said. "That means southeast Texas, Harris County, Montgomery County, Fort Bend County as well."
On Aug. 22, the Montgomery County ICAC Task Force, which includes the District Attorney's Office, the Conroe Police Department, Constables Offices Precinct 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, executed a search warrant at Alcala's home.
After examining Alcala's computers seized during the search warrant, investigators said they found multiple alias Facebook accounts had been set up by Alcala. Upon review of the Facebook accounts, investigators identified the threatening and coercive techniques Alcala was using to intimidate the children, including threats of death and suicide.
"(Alcala) was threatening the children with sending the parents information that they'd engaged in some sort of criminal behavior or lewd conduct with him or with others," Diepraam said. "The children fell victim to that. They didn't think to question it. They were too scared to go tell their parents."
Investigators believe many of the victims were between the ages of 9-12. According to Facebook, users must be at least 13 years old to open an account.
"If (parents) are going to give your kids access to the internet, be aware, that this is how a lot of offenders are getting at kids," Diepraam said. "And it's not just on computers: It's on tablets. It's on phones."
Investigators believe there may be more victims yet to come forward. They're encouraging parents to look at their child's online accounts for any interaction they may've had with Alcala or his half dozen aliases.
Alcala's Facebook aliases include Steven Wilson, Scott Williams, Vince Evans, Beth Dahl, Amber Dahl and Nick Wallace.
Montgomery County Public Library officials said Alcala is no longer employed by them. They also said Alcala never had contact with any children for his job and was never issued a computer by the county.
Alcala is being held on $1 million total bond. Alcala had no previous criminal record but on the current charges, Alcala faces up to 200 years in prison.
"That's not unusual for these types of offenses," Diepraam said. "These offenders have learned how to be very manipulative of people and they generally don't have criminal history."
Authorities are asking anyone with information in the case to call 936-760-6910.