A planned meetup at a San Antonio park ended in an arrest Friday, after investigators say a 33-year-old man tried to rendezvous with someone he believed was a 14-year-old. Bexar County deputies detained Gerardo Moreno-Alvarado at Pearsall Park and charged him with online solicitation of a minor, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies said he was taken into custody without incident following an undercover online sting.
As reported by KSAT, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and said Sheriff Javier Salazar planned to brief reporters at a news conference. KSAT noted that the charge filed was online solicitation of a minor.
Undercover Sting At Pearsall Park
An undercover BCSO investigator posed online as a 14-year-old and arranged a meeting with Moreno-Alvarado at Pearsall Park, KENS5 reported. Authorities say Moreno-Alvarado was detained at the park without incident.
The U.S. Secret Service referred the case to the sheriff’s office, and Sheriff Salazar told reporters that the suspect has no criminal history and works in the food-service industry, later described as a bartender. Officials said they do not believe there are other victims at this time.
Charges And Legal Stakes
Texas law criminalizes online solicitation of a minor under Penal Code Section 33.021. Depending on the defendant’s alleged intent and the minor’s age, the offense can be charged as a third- or second-degree felony. A conviction can carry years in prison, fines, and mandatory sex-offender registration, according to the Texas Penal Code.
How To Report Tips
The sheriff’s office has asked anyone with information about the case to call the BCSO non-emergency line at 210-335-6000, according to the Bexar County website. Investigators said members of the public who recognize the suspect or have related video or messages should contact detectives.
Local Context
Sting operations that rely on undercover accounts posing as minors are a regular tool for investigators in Bexar County and around Texas. Previous multi-day efforts have resulted in multiple arrests and indictments, according to prior coverage of similar stings by KTSA.
