Harris County Sheriff's Office sergeant John Fredrick Black, 46, was arrested in Florida on charges of online child exploitation, including distributing obscene material to a minor, using a computer to seduce or solicit a child, and unlawful use of a two-way communications device, following an undercover sting. He was booked into jail on a warrant from the Leon County Sheriff's Office in Tallahassee.
During the bond hearing, the judge set Black’s bond at $20,000 with strict conditions and warned, "As soon as you get out, you go back to Florida. Do you understand? If I find any violations, I'm going to yank this bond in a moment's notice," as reported by KHOU. Authorities continue to investigate the case.
Harris County Sheriff’s Sgt. Black, who has served since 2003, has been relieved of duty after communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 13-year-old and two other minors on the chat platform. An internal affairs investigation is ongoing. Black was denied bond, waived his right to a formal extradition hearing, and is represented by Houston attorney Justin Alan Keiter. His next court appearance is February 11, as per Chron.
