Plano and Garland men arrested as suspected child predators in Texas sting operation

CLEBURNE – The Texas Attorney General’s Office (OAG) on Monday July 20 announced the arrest of 16 suspected child predators following a joint sting operation between the OAG’s Child Exploitation Unit, the Johnson County Special Crimes Unit and Sheriff’s Office, and the Cleburne and Burleson Police departments.

“Technology provides great benefits for our society, but also presents ample opportunity for dangerous individuals seeking to exploit Texas children,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. “I thank the men and women who work together to bring these individuals into custody, and urge all parents to be fully aware of the activities their children are engaged in online.”

The OAG initiated the sting operating from the Johnson County Emergency Operations Center targeting child predators who utilize the Internet to sexually solicit and then travel with the intent of committing sex crimes against a minor.

“The success of this operation is testimony to the hard work and dedication of the law enforcement officers who patrol the most nightmarish areas of the Internet to draw out predators who target our children,” said David Maxwell, OAG Director of Law Enforcement.

The following individuals were arrested for Online Solicitation of a Minor.

Lance Cee Morgan, 46, of Rhome;

Christopher James Hardt, 30, of Benbrook;

Brandon Tyler Hudgens, 24, of Plano;

James Clinton Hice, 67, of Colleyville;

Peter Walter Teubner Jr., 31, of Arlington;

Bryant Allan Tankersley, 25, of Glen Rose;

Alexander Dean Pittsinger, 21, of Mansfield;

Bryant Michael Lorenzo Colley, 22, of Fort Worth;

Daniel Ivan Gonzales, 25, of Forth Worth;

Jonathan Kent Leever, 30, of Lewisville;

Michael Dale Reighley, 37, of Mesquite;

Juan Pedro Tano-Diaz, 26, of Garland;

William Patrick Barnett, 30, of Eddy;

Bob Edmond Cooper Jr., 35, of Lake Dallas;

Shelby Stuart Laughton, 25, of Arlington;

Alexis Lee Spurlock, 24, of Cleburne.

The OAG works to protect children by taking child predators off the Internet and into jail, proactively seeking out and arresting predators who commit crimes against children using technology and the Internet. The agency utilizes the latest technology to track down some of the most profoundly evil predators on the Internet.

Attorney General Paxton urges all parents and teachers to realize the risks our children face online, and take steps to help ensure their children’s safety. For more information on cyber safety, please visit: https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/cj/cyber-safety.