Law enforcement officials said they arrested nine men, including two from Kerrville, on suspicion of soliciting prostitution and sex crimes against children in Kerr County.
The Kerr County Sheriff's Office, working with the Kerrville Police Department and other agencies, made the arrests earlier this week after an extensive undercover operation.
"The sex trade is a complex criminal underground, one that touches the drug trade, human smuggling, and many other kinds of crime," Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said in a statement. "We will continue our work to intercept those who build and support an industry that victimizes hundreds of thousands every year right here in Texas."
The two Kerrville suspects, who are in Kerr County Jail, awaiting bond, are:
- Marcos Augustine Herrera, 46, of Kerrville, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
- Casey Sean Donovan, 41, of Kerrville, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
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The other men arrested in the operation, all awaiting bond at the Kerr County Jail, are:
- Steven Douglas Gold, 65, of San Antonio, on one count of solicitation of prostitution, one count of online solicitation of a minor.
- James Ryan Nunn, 49, of San Antonio, on one count of solicitation of prostitution and one count of possession of a controlled substance, PG1, (Methamphetamine).
- Bennie H Lowderback, 58, of La Vernia, Texas, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
- Casey Sean Donovan, 41, of Kerrville, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
- Nicolas Cuellar, 31, of San Antonio, on one count of solicitation of prostitution and one count of possession of a controlled substance, PG1, (Methamphetamine).
- Terry Lynn Draffen, 68, of Fredericksburg, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
- Adam Lee Lehmann, Jr., 42, of Kingsland, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
- Christopher Miles Carter, 45, of San Antonio, on one count of solicitation of prostitution.
Officials said the suspects arranged to meet who they believed to be women, men, and in some cases, minors for sexual conduct. The Department of Public Safety, Bexar County Sheriff, FBI and the Texas Alcohol Beverage Commission helped with undercover operations.
Another element of the operation involved Mercy Gate Ministries, a Kerr County nonprofit that works to end human trafficking. The organization offers rescue and recovery for those who may have been victims. Representatives from Mercy Gate also provided educational and other resources to the undercover operation.
"It is an honor to partner with law enforcement to assist in these arrests and recoveries," said Karla Solomon, director of outreach and training at Mercy Gate. "I pray these efforts ensure that our community is safe for our children and families. This should send the message to those who participate in these activities that we will not tolerate the buying or selling of sex in Kerr County. Working with law enforcement, we were able to recover three individuals, two of whom are now receiving services."
Leitha also praised the collaboration with Mercy Gate.
"We are also very pleased to have our expanded collaboration with
Mercy Gate," Leitha said. "This problem requires both putting people in jail and rescuing those who are being coerced into this lifestyle. We are committed to working the entire problem. Being effective takes both attention from law enforcement and support for those wanting to exit this lifestyle."
From the law enforcement operation, Leitha singled out the work of his digital forensics team.
"Our digital forensics unit, working alongside these cooperative teams, continues to deliver strong results," said Leitha. "These days, most of this activity starts and is organized online. Having the Digital Forensic Unit on-hand during the operation allowed investigators to have immediate access to digital evidence without having to wait months for results."
