Suspect may have targeted 300 girls - Internet predator-rapist
The Dallas Morning News ^ | July 19, 2002 | By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
Suspect may have targeted 300 girls
07/19/2002 By JASON TRAHAN / The Dallas Morning News
CLEBURNE - More than 300 teenage girls could be victims or potential targets of a man accused of sexually assaulting underage victims after meeting them over the Internet, police said.
Johnson County detectives said Thursday that they found names, Internet addresses and contact information for girls from Fort Worth, Rowlett, Ovilla, Coppell, Plano, Pleasant Grove and other cities at the Fort Worth home of Alfred Wayne Velasquez, 35.
So far, Johnson County authorities, working with the U.S. Secret Service and district attorney's offices in Johnson and Tarrant counties, have confirmed two victims 14-year-old girls in Arlington and Johnson County. Mr. Velasquez is accused of having sex with the Arlington girl in her home while her parents were away, police said.
"It's possible that he contacted more than 300 individuals," said Johnson County Detective Jason Buchanan. He said the contacts could have occurred as long as three years ago.
Mr. Velasquez is being held in Johnson County on a charge of sexual assault of a child under 17. Bail is set at $75,000. He declined a request for an interview Thursday.
"We're pleading not guilty," said Wes Ball, Mr. Velasquez's court-appointed attorney. He offered no further comment.
"He was soliciting victims via the Internet," Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford said at a news conference Thursday aimed at letting parents and potential victims know about the investigation in hopes that more victims will come forward with information.
Alfred Wayne Velasquez
"This man is adept in bragging on his victims, telling them how they've matured giving them attention," Sheriff Alford said. "He later talks them into a sexual relationship."
Johnson County deputies arrested Mr. Velasquez on July 12 on a warrant stemming from a five-month investigation. It began when a patrol officer spotted Mr. Velasquez with a 14-year-old girl in a parked car at a ballpark near Alvarado.
The girl told police the two had sex after meeting on the Internet, and police arrested Mr. Velasquez on a charge of sexual assault of a child. He was later released on bond, officials said.
When police searched the home of Mr. Velasquez, who police said was an unemployed student at Tarrant County College, they found index cards containing girls' Internet contact information and physical descriptions and other identifying information. One address was in Chicago, officials said.
Police said Mr. Velasquez sometimes posed as a teenager to lure the girls into Internet contact, mostly through instant messaging software and e-mail. He may also have used teenage Web sites to find victims, detectives said.
Investigators also found what they suspect is child pornography on his computer, said Johnson County Detective Jason Buchanan.
The parents of the Arlington and Johnson County victims are upset, Detective Buchanan said.
"The young ladies are regretful of the decisions they made," he said.
Police cautioned parents to be vigilant when dealing with their Internet-surfing kids.
"If your children have access to the Internet, parents need to find out who their children are talking to," he said. "You need to make sure your child isn't playing with a loaded gun."
Authorities urge anyone who may have come in contact with Mr. Velasquez to contact the Johnson County Sheriff's Department at 817-556-6000.
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Lord, I pray that you will give strength, and wisdom to TXlady, her daughter and grandaughter, and heal them. Give them, Lord Your arms, Your strength, Your love at this time. Let them feel the Everlasting arms around them.
We pray Lord, that the tears of sadness, be turned into bright smiles one day, and Lord that You would use them in a mighty way. Let them become Your arms extended. Let them be Your feet to go to help the wounded, and Your mouth to whisper words of comfort to the hurting.
We give you this day, all the praise and glory,for You and You alone, are the giver of life, and our help in every danger. We thank You for this child, and thank You that you have allowed some of us to hear this story, and have the honor of lifting them up to you this day. In Jesus precious name, we pray. Amen