Online predator in cuffs after police intervene

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Pearsall police posing as an underage girl in an online chat room arrested a man on Wednesday, September 7, after he attempted to meet the person with whom he had been exchanging messages.
Police say that parents of the underage girl contacted officers early last week after they learned 25-year-old Brandon Betancourt was messaging their daughter in an attempt to solicit sexual intercourse and narcotics.

According to a report on the case, officers allegedly began a conversation with Betancourt. Despite telling Betancourt they were only fifteen years old, the man was persistent in wanting to meet and offered to bring illegal drugs.
A meeting spot was established and when officers arrived in unmarked cars, Betancourt was waiting.
When police confronted the man, Betancourt allegedly resisted arrest but then admitted to the online solicitation. Officers searched the man and found over three grams of methamphetamine in his pocket.
Betancourt was transported to the Frio County Jail without further incident and charged with two second-degree felonies for online solicitation of a minor and possession of narcotics.
Police are encouraging parents to monitor their children’s social media and online activity routinely.
“This department will do anything to protect the children of this community,” Lt. Michael Guerrero said. “Unfortunately we live at a time that these predators are capable of communicating with the child by any means. Social media, online video games, practically anything that has access to the internet gives these predators the capability to lure your children into their lives.”