A youth softball coach in Montgomery County was arrested Thursday after an undercover investigation allegedly caught him trying to solicit sex from someone he believed was 15, authorities said. The probe started on an online chat platform in early April and stretched over several weeks before ending in an arrest, and local law enforcement is now asking the public to come forward with tips.
The Harris County Precinct 1 constable's office identified the coach as Nathan Scott Velez, 37, of Magnolia, and said he works as a lineman for a technology company, according to Click2Houston. Velez was arrested on Thursday, June 11, and is charged with online solicitation of a minor. Prosecutors say the case stems from an undercover sting operation.
Detectives say the investigation began in early April on a chat platform and involved several weeks of conversations that culminated in an arranged meeting, according to court records. Investigators allege Velez requested nude photos, described sex acts he wanted to perform with the undercover persona and made plans to meet her in person. “When do I get to see your body?” Velez allegedly wrote, according to court records cited by Click2Houston.
What investigators say
Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen announced the arrest in a post on X and urged anyone with information to call the precinct's Internet Crimes Against Children unit at 713-222-4929, according to the constable's post on X. In the post the Office of Harris County Constable Pct 1 said it will “always do all we can to protect children” and asked the public to report suspected inappropriate interactions.
Legal implications
Online solicitation of a minor is a crime under Texas law and, depending on the subsection, is generally punishable as a third‑degree felony, which can carry two to 10 years in prison and an optional fine of up to $10,000, while solicitations to meet for sexual contact can be charged as a higher‑degree felony, according to analysis by the Texas House Research Office. Convictions under the statute are reportable under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and registration as a sex offender may follow, per guidance from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Local context
The arrest adds to a string of undercover sting operations and online‑solicitation arrests across Montgomery County and the greater Houston area this year, as regional ICAC teams and local precincts focus on adults who seek minors online. Montgomery County authorities announced a similar online‑solicitation arrest in May, as reported by ABC13, and the Precinct 1 website documents past ICAC operations involving partner agencies.
Anyone with information about Nathan Scott Velez or other suspected improper contact with minors is asked to call Precinct 1’s Internet Crimes Against Children Unit at 713‑222‑4929. The constable's office said tips will be investigated and could lead to additional charges or the identification of more victims.
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