A 67-year-old McLennan County man, Henry Bettis, faces a state jail felony charge of solicitation of prostitution. The case stems from allegations by a woman identified in court documents as Victim #1, who said she found hidden cameras in her bedroom and bathroom after moving into Bettis's home following her parole. Her report, made about a week after she moved in, prompted an investigation into Bettis's contacts with women through online advertisements and inmate correspondence, with alleged activity dating back more than a year.
An Alleged Reintegration Offer Led to a Living Arrangement
According to KWTX, Victim #1 met Bettis while she was incarcerated in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice system through PenACon, a platform for correspondence between inmates and people outside prison. The station reported that they communicated for about three months about what Bettis described as a reintegration program. Victim #1 later listed Bettis as her parole sponsor to receive assistance and was paroled on May 11, 2026.
Bettis picked her up after her release, and she began living with him, according to the station. Within a week, she told Waco Parole Supervisor Jason Tucker that she had found cameras inside her bedroom and bathroom at Bettis's residence, the station reported, citing the affidavit. Her report on Aug. 24, 2026, led to the investigation that resulted in the current charge.
How Proposed Parole Residences Are Reviewed
For a person being released from prison, a proposed residence is subject to review: according to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Ombudsman FAQ, the Parole Division investigates a proposed residence for approval or denial. That general process does not establish what officials knew about the allegations in this case.
Investigators Examined Online Advertisements
The affidavit, as described in the report, says investigators found Bettis had contacted women through inmate platforms and Craigslist employment ads. The ads offered paid or gift-based companionship, sleep-monitoring, or dance-partner roles, specified female applicants, and said sex was not required. One ad was titled “Dance Partner – Just dance, not get in your pants.”
The complaint describes recurring offers involving companionship, money, gifts, or massages. Investigators examined those ads as part of the inquiry after Victim #1 came forward; the allegations do not establish that anyone accepted an offer.
Complaint Also Recounts a Second Woman's Allegations
The complaint also recounts investigators' contact with Victim #2 after Victim #1's report. Victim #2 told investigators that she cared for Bettis after surgery in August 2025. During that period, her 2-year-old child found Bettis's iPad, which Bettis then took away from the child, according to the affidavit.
Victim #2 said she later found several pictures of naked females on the device that she believed appeared to show underage people, according to the affidavit. She also told investigators Bettis repeatedly offered her $200 to $500 for full-body massages and asked her to be a “PTSD Sleep Monitor” and “massage practice partner,” telling her not to inform her fiancé, the complaint states.
The same account describes Bettis asking Victim #2 to shower in his camper trailer and to participate in bikini or lingerie photo shoots. These allegations remain part of the complaint tied to the current charge rather than separate criminal counts, based on the reporting available.
The case, as reported by KWTX, centers on the single state jail felony charge of solicitation of prostitution filed against Bettis in McLennan County. No additional details about an arrest date, bond, or scheduled court appearance were included in the available reporting.
