Officials in Fort Bend County arrest 23 for online solicitation and attempted child sex crimes





Suspect Details: Robert Alden, 29, Texas City, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child Robert Alden was arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), in a month-long sweep targeting online solicitation of children.Robert Alden, 29, Texas City, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Attempted Sexual Assault of a Child less Robert Alden was arrested by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), in a month-long sweep targeting online ... more Photo: Fort Bend County Sheriff Photo: Fort Bend County Sheriff Image 1 of / 35 Caption Close Officials in Fort Bend County arrest 23 for online solicitation and attempted child sex crimes 1 / 35 Back to Gallery

On Thursday the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office announced that a month-long partnership between its agency and the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force netted 23 suspects.

Those suspects, all of which are men, were arrested for engaging in the solicitation or online exploitation of children via social media outlets.

Another operation in March yielded 12 arrests.

Other agencies included in May’s operations included the Missouri City Police Department, the Katy ISD Police Department, the Sugar Land Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Houston Police Department, the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, the Spring Valley Police Department, and the Rosenberg Police Department.

Various agents engaged in online contact with the suspects, who officials say attempted to engage the agents posing as children into real-life sexual contact. Meeting places were arranged during the conversations and officers were on hand to make arrests.

“This operation illustrates the value of this coalition,” Sheriff Troy E. Nehls said in a press release Thursday. “The officers involved in these sweeps do an excellent job of attracting these suspects through internet contact and finally arresting some very surprised people.”

The suspects ranged in age from just 19 to 59 years old. All were charged with online solicitation of a minor and the attempted sexual assault of a child, with some also racking up theft, weapons and drug charges. Bond amounts ranged from $40,000 to $113,000.

According to officials, eight of the 23 have posted bond while the rest are still in Fort Bend County custody.