Grandfather and Grandson Charged in Child Sexual Crimes Investigation in Port Arthur

On October 28, 2024, in Port Arthur, Kirk Jones pled to 16 years in Judge John Stevens’ Criminal District Court for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The victim was his 5-year-old granddaughter and the assaults were believed to have been happening for at least a year before it was discovered and reported to Police. There were other reported child victims of the same suspect too.

On May 29, 2024 Port Arthur Police Detectives arrested an 83-year-old grandfather and his 29-year-old grandson charging both with sexual crimes against a child. Jessie Salinas and Kameron Salinas were arrested and booked in the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.

In 2015, Jessie Salinas was accused of sexually assaulting his 15-year-old granddaughter. Jessie Salinas was booked for Sexual Assault of a Child. Investigation revealed she had also been sexually abused by Kameron Salinas, her cousin by marriage, from the ages of 7 to 14 years. Kameron Salinas was booked for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

There were other victims identified during the investigation that did not wish to pursue charges. It is believed several children, while in the home and under the care of Jessie Salinas, were sexually abused. Both men are awaiting trial.

Crimes against children, especially sex crimes against children, are not easy cases to investigate. It is difficult to dig deep for the answers and evidence needed all the while trying to protect and shelter the victim from further intrusive interviews or examinations. It can also be emotionally draining on the investigator.

Det. Ileana Jaquez has been investigating crimes against children for the last five years. She is the primary investigator for all sexual assaults, for both children and adult victims. She has been with the Port Arthur Police Department for 11 years. Det. Jaquez says what drives her to work hard for a conviction is the “need to defend and stand up for the children after they’ve been hurt…to be their voice.”