A Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) online solicitation sting operating lead to the arrest of two East Texas men on Friday morning, October 13, 2023.
Sergio Rubalcava, 28, of Kilgore, and Tyler Sieber, 28, of Whitehouse, were arrested by Texas DPS in connection with online solicitation of prostitution. Rubalcava is charged with solicit prostitution of person under 18, and Seiber is charged with online solicitation of a minor. Both are being held in the Smith County Jail on $100,000 bonds.
These two arrests come after a previous arrest of 20-year-old Ian Bell in Tyler. According to authorities, Bell contacted via text message a special agent posing as a minor. The special agent claims that Bell acknowledged the person he was talking to was 16 years old and expressed his desire to have sex with the minor. The special agest made sure during the chat that Bell was aware that the was talking to a 16 year old and acknowledged his desire to have sex with the minor.
Authorities then observed Bell leaving his residence and walk to a pre-arranged meeting locating. Bell admitted to officers that he went to that arranged meeting place with the intent of having sex with the minor. Bell also agreed to a search of his cellphone, providing further proof of the text message exchange with the undercover officer.
Bell was arrested on October 12th and booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony, with a $100,000 bond.
Texas DPS Sergeant Adam Albritton said that the investigations and arrests of Rubalcava and Seiber were similar to that of Bell. According to Albritton, there are no further arrests expected as a result of the sting.
