Authorities are actively seeking the arrest of 56-year-old Michael Devon White, a security guard at the George R. Brown Convention Center, accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old boy during a robotics convention in April of last year.
Houston Police told KPRC 2 the investigation is still active and there may be additional victims tied to White.
According to court documents, the 15-year-old victim detailed a chilling encounter with White, who initially approached him “in a friendly manner” during the robotics convention. The victim, thinking he had made a new friend, trusted White to show him around the building.
However, things took a dark turn when White, dressed in his security uniform, allegedly led the boy to the basement-level tunnels where two chairs waited.
White allegedly told the teen to put his feet between White’s legs, then “had him do foot stretches and exercises, moving his foot in circles around (White’s) groin area,” the charging document states.
“The fact that he used (his uniform and badge) as part of his lure for his victim is extremely concerning. It also seemed like this was very thought out on his part,” Crime Stoppers of Houston Deputy Director Nichole Cristoph said.
According to court documents, White called the foot stretches and exercises “reclined ankle rotations.” It allegedly happened for several minutes.
“He just had, at the ready, an innocuous name for what he was doing to kind of brush it off,” Christoph said.
The victim left the basement for opening ceremonies at the convention, but White allegedly gave him his phone number and began texting him about 30 minutes later. That’s when White allegedly took him to the roof and the abuse continued for several more minutes.
The victim, frightened but compliant, immediately disclosed the incident to his parents afterward.
Surveillance footage from the convention center reportedly captured White with the victim in various locations, corroborating the victim’s account. Detectives also reviewed records that showed White accessed the elevators using his badge.
In a July interview with police, White denied any physical contact with the victim and claimed the “reclined ankle rotations” might have been advice for the teen on how to increase his vertical jump. White told investigators he was a basketball coach.
“It really raises the concern of how easy it could have been to get this victim away from the GRB all together, and then God only knows what could happen at that point,” Christoph said. She emphasized the concern over trafficking incidents spiking during big events in a major city.
Christoph called the young victim “extremely brave” and said these types of cases are not always easy to piece together, but since the teen got the suspect’s name, phone number and a photo, it can be helpful when it comes to prosecution.
“Know where your kids are, know who they’re going to be with, make sure they know how to be a good witness,” she said.
In response to the incident, the Houston First Corporation, which operates the convention center, released this statement: “Houston First Corporation (HFC) was made aware of an incident that occurred on April 6, 2023, at the George R. Brown Convention Center where an employee of HFC security contractor Andy Frain Services was accused of inappropriate conduct with a minor. HPD was immediately contacted, and officers took a statement from the alleged victim and his parents. The accused individual was immediately put on leave by Andy Frain Services, pending investigation, and was later terminated. HFC and our security contractor fully cooperated with HPD’s investigation and remain willing to assist in any way possible.”
Described as a 6-foot-tall, 240-pound Black man with brown eyes and black hair, White is now wanted by the police, and Crime Stoppers is urging the public to come forward with any information that may lead to his arrest.
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the charging and/or arrest of the suspect in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls directly to Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.
Houston Police are also asking anyone with information to contact the Special Victims Unit at 713-308-1140.