An El Paso man has been arrested on suspicion of possessing child pornography, according to a social media post from El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte. The arrest occurred on March 10, , at the El Paso Transitional Center, where deputies were called in to investigate.
As reported by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, Lonny Gene Huisenga, a 71-year-old resident of the halfway house, was initially detained for violating his parole terms. During routine checks by his Parole Officer, who has not been named, Huisenga was found in possession of illicit images. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes Unit spearheaded the subsequent investigation that led to the additional charges of Possession of Child Pornography, with the implicating images reportedly depicting minors in a range, of more than 10 but fewer than 50.
A statement released by the El Paso County Sheriff's Office on Facebook detailed the arrest and resulting charges. Huisenga now finds himself held at the El Paso County Detention Facility, with a bond set at $75,000.
The El Paso Transitional Center, where Huisenga resided, functions as a Community Corrections Center providing reintegration services to former inmates. The facility is located at 1650 Horizon Blvd. El Paso, Texas, is typically home to individuals transitioning back into society after spending time in the carceral system. It is in this space, where second chances are cultivated, that the disturbing discovery was made. The case has yet to show whether Huisenga's alleged actions will reshape the discourse on the oversight of those in halfway houses, or, the measures in place to protect society from repeat offenders.
