HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Three local men were arrested in an undercover operation by the Internet Crimes Against Children Unit of the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable's Office on felony charges of solicitation of a minor.
Kenneth A. Walker, 26, of Kendleton, was arrested Jan. 13 after traveling to Houston believing he was meeting with an underage girl, authorities said.
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Rodney Robles, 21, of Harris County, was arrested Jan. 27 after traveling to Houston believing he was meeting with an underage girl, deputies said. In addition to solicitation, he was charged with evading arrest, according to a release from officials.
Syed Shah, 24, of Sugar Land, was arrested Jan. 31 after traveling to Houston believing he was meeting with an underage girl, according to reports.
They each posted bond and are free pending trial.
Police said the investigation was timed to catch predators visiting Houston for the Super Bowl and related preview events.
The three men connected with people on social media who they believed to be children, and made arrangements to meet at locations in Precinct 1 to engage in sex acts, according to reports.
The men were actually communicating with undercover Precinct 1 deputies working to take child predators off the streets and the internet, whether they are local people, or visitors motivated to act partly by being far away from family and friends they know.
The investigation was called Operation End Zone because it aimed to make this time period the end of the line for predators.