Online child sex sting leads to area arrests

The Kerr County Criminal Investigations Division, along with the KCSO Special Operations Division, Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Texas Highway Patrol, Texas Rangers, Kerrville Police Department, Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of the Inspector General, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission completed a multi-day operation to interdict online child predators in Kerr County.

The multi-agency effort led to the arrests of five individuals:

Joseph James Valles, 52, of Kerrville, for Prostitution (Person Under 18). Valles is being held on a $50,000 bond, and has a prior conviction for capital murder.

Adrian Steven Rodriguez, 31, of Kerrville, for Online Solicitation of a Minor/Sexual Contact. Rodriguez is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Cody Garrett Bowen, 22, of Kerrville, for Online Solicitation of a Minor/Sexual Contact. Bowen is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Cesar Alvarez, 48, of San Antonio, for Online Solicitation of Prostitution. Alvarez is being held without bond.

Jorge Pichardo, 42, of San Antonio, for Online Solicitation of a Minor/Sexual Contact and Resisting Arrest. Pichardo is being held without bond.

Additional charges may be added as this investigation continues, and as in all criminal cases, charges may be added or modified prior to trial. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha released a statement saying, “This operation represents a new era in confronting those who victimize children in our area. This multi-agency effort produced multiple arrests of people trying to meet underage victims using digital, in-person, and online methods. We have prevented immediate and ongoing threats.”