Last week, the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office spearheaded Operation “East Watch”, a proactive online investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending individuals attempting to exploit children over the internet. The operation deployed undercover detectives and agents across multiple jurisdictions, including Montgomery County Constable Precincts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, Oak Ridge North Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigations Division, and attorneys from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office. The combined effort was part of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Houston Metro Area ICAC Task Force. While the operation focused primarily on East Montgomery County, suspects from five additional states were identified attempting to communicate with individuals they believed to be children located in the area.
Results of ICAC Operation “East Watch” include:
- 3 Arrest for Online Solicitation of a Child
- 2 ICE Detainers on Arrestees
- 1 Vehicle-Sized Arrestee’s Vehicle
- 7 Grams of Methamphetamine Seized from an Arrestee
- 2 Guns Sized from Arrestee
- 12 Felony Charges Filed, Arrestees, and pending arrest warrants
- 5 Pending Arrest Warrants for out-of-state individuals for Promotion of Child Pornography
- 13 Online Individuals refused to meet after learning the decoy’s stated age
- Multiple Online Individuals acknowledge a strong law enforcement presence in the area and refrained from meeting
“This operation is a reminder that if you target children, we’re coming for you—no matter where you are,” said Constable Kenneth “Rowdy” Hayden. “Protecting our kids is one of our top priorities, and we’ll keep using every tool we have to go after online predators.”
Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office and participating agencies remain committed to ongoing investigations stemming from this operation. Additional arrests and charges are anticipated as online chats continue and evidence is gathered being reviewed.
