HOUSTON – A former youth minister appeared in a Harris County courtroom Friday on charges of soliciting a teenager online.
Investigators said Chad Foster, 33, first met the 14-year-old girl when he worked as a youth minister at Second Baptist Church in Houston. The communications continued when Foster later became a youth minister at The Community of Faith Church in northwest Harris County, authorities said.
"If you're a person who does a lot of fishing, where do you go? You go to the water where the fish are. Same with predators," said Sgt. Gary Spurger of the Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
The teen said she and Foster exchanged phone numbers and then sent more than 15,000 text messages in 11 months. Investigators said the two also communicated on Facebook and Skype. Foster is accused of exposing himself using Skype's live video feed.
"It's a serious crime. Every time you exploit a child, that's serious, no matter how you look at it," Spurger said.
Foster's latest charge is online solicitation. He is also charged with three counts of sexual assault of a child in a previous case involving a 16-year-old girl.
Investigators said Foster no longer works for a church.
In court, Judge Jeannine Barr warned Foster to stay at least 1,000 feet away from schools and other areas frequented by children.
"My client has no comment today," Foster's attorney said.
Investigators believe there could be other victims. Detectives said, so far, all of the tips have been tied to girls at Second Baptist Church.
"There's some people we've heard want to come forward, but haven't done so yet," Spurger said.
If you need to report a case, call 281-401-6228.