Four Fort Hood soldiers were arrested Monday during a three-day sting in Bell County targeting people attempting to solicit sex from children and teens online, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)
Four soldiers from Fort Hood were among 11 men arrested during a three-day sting in Bell County targeting people attempting to solicit sex from children and teens online, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Monday.
The Texas DPS said all suspects engaged in sexually explicit online conversations with individuals who identified themselves as between the ages of 13 and 16.
The decoy operation was conducted by DPS Criminal Investigation Division and the Texas Highway Patrol, working with the Army Criminal Investigation Division and the Bell County District Attorney’s Office, according to DPS.
The soldiers arrested are Pfc. Christopher Matias, Staff Sgt. Samsus Moise Perfection St. Loth, Spc. Xavier Alexander Barreto and Staff Sgt. Ramon Antonio Rivera-Colon. All are currently assigned to Fort Hood, according to a statement from the base.
“Fort Hood is fully cooperating with local law enforcement,” the statement added.
All suspects were booked into the Bell County Jail.
