15 Collin County Men Arrested for Soliciting Minors Online – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Collin County According to authorities, officers have arrested 15 men suspected of abusing children online.

According to the Collin County Sheriff's Office, from April 9-11, deputies conducted “Operation Home Alone 2024,” an online undercover operation targeting suspects who use the internet to target children.

Collin County Sheriff's Office detectives worked with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Dallas Police Department and Plano Police Department to make 15 arrests during the operation.

According to officials, 10 of the arrested individuals were charged with soliciting minors online, and five individuals were charged with soliciting individuals under the age of 18 for prostitution.

One of the men arrested was an associate rector at Trinity Episcopal Church in Fort Worth. According to a statement from the church, Jason Myers, 43, has been suspended from office after he was arrested and charged with soliciting a minor online.

During the operation, detectives also seized 13.9 grams of suspected methamphetamine and two firearms, authorities said.

According to officials, detectives also seized a large number of electronic devices used by the suspects to commit their crimes.

Officials said these devices will be forensically examined, which could lead to additional charges.

“Operation Home Alone 2024 serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of online communications for children,” said Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner. “Cell phones, gaming devices and online computers are hunting grounds for individuals seeking to exploit children and I implore parents and guardians to speak with their children about the inherent dangers these devices pose. Make no mistake, my officers remain steadfast in their efforts to protect the children in our community from those who would harm them and I take my hat off to them and the investigators from participating agencies for their work on Operation Home Alone 2024.”