BELTON, Texas — Eleven men, including four active-duty military members, were arrested during a multi-agency operation targeting individuals attempting to solicit minors online, authorities announced.
The three-day operation was led by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division and Texas Highway Patrol, working alongside the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Bell County District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators said all suspects engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with individuals they believed to be between 13 and 16 years old.
Nine suspects were charged with solicitation of prostitution of a person under 18 years of age, while two were charged with online solicitation of a minor.
Those arrested and booked into the Bell County Jail include:
- Hae-Yong Pae, 44, of Copperas Cove — Online Solicitation of a Minor
- Xavier Alexander Barreto, 21, of Fort Hood — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Ryan Lee Howard, 32, of Buda — Online Solicitation of a Minor
- Joseph Andrew Paine, 37, of Temple — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Christopher Matias, 27, of Fort Hood — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Samsus Moise Perfection St. Loth, 40, of Killeen — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Omar Katrell Cherry, 45, of Belton — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Ramon Antonio Rivera-Colon, 37, of Belton — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Dwayne Dion Sherman, 32, of Killeen — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Shaun Keenan O’Hara, 38, of Gunnison, Colorado — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
- Tyron Lydell Williams, 55, of Killeen — Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18
Officials said the operation underscores the importance of coordination between federal, state and local agencies in combating human trafficking and protecting children.
Anyone who may be a victim of human trafficking or has information about related activity is urged to contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 888-373-7888.
