KCSO makes arrest for Sexual Assault of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography

The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced that they have made an arrest for Sexual Assault of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography after conducting an interview with the alleged victim on January 20.

Investigators conducted an interview with the suspect, 40-year old Ingram resident Richard Hernandez, Jr., who confessed to sexually assaulting the 16-year old victim, according to a press release.

Subsequent to the interview, a forensic examination of Hernandez’s phone was conducted by the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office Digital Forensic Unit depicting a large amount of child pornography.

Hernandez was booked into the Kerr County Jail on one charge of Sexual Assault of a Child, and one count of Possession of Child Pornography and is being held on $150,000 in bonds.

Hernandez is a former Hill Country Youth Ranch employee who was recently terminated. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to seek out any additional victims or witnesses in this case.

According to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, “The encounter between Mr. Hernandez and the minor victim began via an online dating site and continued through social media.”