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Two men indicted for online solicitation of a minor after four arrested during undercover sting

Posted at 10:40 AM, May 01, 2018
and last updated 2018-06-13 14:31:33-04

Two out of four men arrested in April have been indicted for online solicitation after an undercover operation by the Child Exploitation Unit of the Texas Attorney General's Office after an undercover operation.

Matthew Jay Pederson and Gerson Yonatan Paz Paz were indicted on June 13 by a grand jury in Bell County. 

In April, Matthew Jay Pederson, Jalil Aziz Townsend, Gerson Yonatan Paz Paz and Kenneth Edward Ricketson sexually solicited Bell County investigators who were posing as children online, the Attorney General's office said. 

Authorities said the suspects began either sending or asking for something explicit within 10 to 15 messages.

The suspects were arrested when they arrived at a predetermined location expecting to meet and engage in sexual activity with a child.

During a press conference, Bell County Assitant Cheif Deputy Major T.J. Cruz said Ricketson is a soldier and that Pederson is a formerly served in the military. 

Officials also added that Paz Paz traveled from Hutto to meet with the "minor." He also has an immigration container. 

The men were each charged with online solicitation of a minor, a second-degree felony. 

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