Three Houston Men Arrested in Texas City Online Sting Targeting Child Exploitation

TEXAS CITY, Texas – Detectives with the Texas City Police Department have arrested three men following an undercover online operation aimed at identifying individuals attempting to sexually exploit children, authorities announced this week.

The arrests stem from a proactive investigation conducted by the department’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, with assistance from the Crime Scene Unit and Patrol Division. Detectives identified multiple suspects allegedly engaged in the online solicitation of minors and moved quickly to take them into custody.

Those arrested include Juan Mondragon-Ramirez, 44, of Houston, Jose Perez-Lopez, 55, of Houston, and Artemio Garcia, 56, also of Houston. All three face charges of Online Solicitation of a Minor. Mondragon-Ramirez is being held on an $80,000 bond, while Perez-Lopez and Garcia each have bonds set at $100,000.

Investigators emphasized that the operation reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to protecting children and holding offenders accountable before harm can occur.

Police are urging anyone with information related to crimes against children to contact the Texas City Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at 409-643-5720. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Mainland Communities Crime Stoppers at 409-845-8477 or via the P3 Tips platform.