Texas child exploitation & fugitive weekly apprehensions

Staff Report

The responsibilities, of the Office of the Attorney General, are to serve as legal counsel to all boards and agencies of state government, issue legal opinions when requested by the Governor, heads of state agencies, and other officials and agencies as provided by Texas statutes.

The Texas AG sits as an ex-officio member of state committees and commissions and defends challenges to state laws and suits against both state agencies and individual employees of the State.

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To find out more about the Texas Attorney General, visit the official website at https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/.

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Paxton’s Child Exploitation Unit Sting Nets Seven Arrests

AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the arrest of seven people during an undercover chat operation in Olmos Park, Bexar County.

The operation was conducted during the week of August 10 by the Child Exploitation Unit, along with the Austin Fugitive Apprehension Unit, the Olmos Park Police Department, Bexar County District Attorney’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.

This operation focused on enforcement of Texas Penal Code 33.021(c), Online Solicitation of a Minor, by proactively identifying and arresting adults using the internet to solicit children to meet and engage in sexual conduct with themselves or another person.

The following arrests were made: 

• Jason Edward Byers, 47, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 
• Martin Villarreal, 57, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 
• Michael Poblano, 42, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 
• Joseph Michael Feist, 68, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 
• Santiago Rodriguez, 53, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 
• Andrew Rivera, 31, of San Antonio, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor
• James Pirtle, 50, of Lytle, for the offense of Online Solicitation of a Minor 

Paxton’s Law Enforcement Round-Up

The Fugitive Apprehension Unit

Travis County
Jose Antonio Garcia-Barriga was arrested in Austin on an outstanding warrant for Sexual Assault of a Child issued by the Austin Police Department. This arrest was made on Aug. 6 while working in conjunction with the United States Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force out of Austin.

Travis County
Cesar Ambrosio Sanchez was arrested in Austin on an outstanding warrant for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child issued by the Austin Police Department. This arrest was made on Aug. 3 while working in conjunction with the United States Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force out of Austin.

Galveston County
Ismael Ruiz Jr. was arrested in Galveston on outstanding warrants for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Sexual Assault and Injury to a Child/Elderly/Disabled issued by the Galveston Police Department. This arrest was made on Aug. 3 while working in conjunction with the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force. 

Request for Opinion

Official Request Summary RQ-0424-KP
Whether a legislator or a member of the public may inspect anonymous voted ballots

Date Received
Monday, August 16, 2021

Official Requestor
The Honorable Matt Krause
Chair, House Committee on General Investigating
Texas House of Representatives
Post Office Box 2910
Austin, Texas 78768-2910

Request for Opinion

Official Request Summary RQ?0423?KP
Whether a part-time assistant county attorney representing the Department of Family and Protective Services may maintain a private practice representing parents or children in child protection cases in other counties

Date Received
Tuesday, August 10, 2021

Official Requestor
Honorable Susan Deski
Burleson County Attorney
100 West Buck St., Ste 402
Caldwell, Tx 77836