A 25-year-old San Antonio man is facing felony charges after deputies say a friendship that started at a local skating rink with a child about two years ago later turned into a sexual relationship. Investigators say the contact escalated last year and came to light only after the child's parents found messages on the child's devices, as reported by Austin American-Statesman.
According to the Austin American‑Statesman, the Bexar County Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as Mario Yturarte. The outlet reports that the child initially followed Yturarte on Instagram because of his skating skills and later told investigators that Yturarte knew their age and "frequently pressured" them to meet up.
The San Antonio Express‑News reports that Yturarte has been charged with sexual assault of a child and online solicitation of a minor, and that jail records connect those charges to an incident on Aug. 7, 2025. According to the Express‑News, deputies say he met the child in person twice. He is being held at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.
Charges and What They Mean
Under Texas law, online solicitation of a minor is a felony. Penal Code §33.021 spells out the offense of online solicitation and the related penalties. Sexual assault is addressed separately in Penal Code §22.011. A conviction on either count can lead to prison time and, depending on the specific conviction, requirements to register as a sex offender.
Where This Fits Locally
The case lands in the middle of a broader push by Bexar County authorities to crack down on online grooming and solicitation involving minors. Earlier this year, deputies arrested a man in January after an alleged attempt to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old, according to reporting by KSAT. Investigators say they are seeing recurring patterns that begin on social apps and then move to in-person meetings.
How to Contact Investigators
The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about this case or similar incidents to contact the tips line at 210-335-6000 or email [email protected], according to the county's public information page. The sheriff's office did not immediately provide additional comment to reporters.
