Almost 50 indicted on child sex charges so far in 2018

Prosecutors in communities surrounding Harris County have been busy getting alleged child sex criminals brought to justice. Prosecutors in communities surrounding Harris County have been busy getting alleged child sex criminals brought to justice. Photo: Chron.com Photo: Chron.com Image 1 of / 44 Caption Close Almost 50 indicted on child sex charges so far in 2018 1 / 44 Back to Gallery

Prosecutors in communities surrounding Harris County have been busy getting alleged child sex criminals brought to justice.

So far in 2018, 46 defendants – all men – have been indicted on various child sex crime offenses ranging from soliciting teenagers for sex online to sexually assaulting young children. Prosecutors in Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery and Galveston counties have all been presenting cases to the grand jury.

Click through the slideshow above to see the mug shots of those defendants who have been indicted. There are defendants who were indicted whose mug shots were not available:

Phillip Antonio Burton was indicted in Brazoria County on a charge of indecency with a child.

Noah Emile Washington was indicted in Brazoria County on a charge of indecency with a child.

Francis Ukwamedua was indicted in Fort Bend County on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Andre Hagerman was indicted in Waller County on a charge of possession of child pornography.

Jeramie Battles was indicted in Montgomery County on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

Anthony Marek was indicted in Montgomery County on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Joshua Curtis Dryer was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Randall Craig Ricks was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child (two counts).

Eric Christopher Frank was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of aggravate sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child (two counts).

Trey Reynolds Garner was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

David Allan Lee was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of online solicitation of a minor.

Aaron Lee Larson was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of indecency with a child.

Charles Dennis Fingleman was indicted in Galveston County on a charge of sexual assault of a child.

In Texas, once a defendant is arrested for a felony offense, prosecutors have 90 days to present that offense to a grand jury. The grand jury then decides if enough probable cause exists to move forward with prosecution.

The next major step after a grand jury indictment is a criminal trial, where jurors decide the guilt or innocence of the defendants.