JACKSON COUNTY — A man wanted in Florida on multiple felony warrants involving alleged child sex crimes was arrested Wednesday morning in neighboring Jackson County after law enforcement learned he was traveling by bus toward Mexico, according to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said that at approximately 10:10 a.m. on July 29, law enforcement agencies received information that Edgar Perez Hernandez, 23 (DOB: June 12, 2003), was wanted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida.
According to the sheriff’s office, the outstanding warrants included charges of:
- Interference with Custody (1 count)
- Lewd or Lascivious Molestation involving a victim under 12 (1 count)
- Lewd or Lascivious Conduct – Touching (1 count)
- Use of Computer Services or Devices to Solicit Illegal Acts (1 count)
- Traveling to Meet a Minor After Solicitation (1 count)
- Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communication Device (1 count)
- Sexual Battery involving a victim between the ages of 12 and 17 (4 counts)
Investigators determined Hernandez was traveling by bus en route to Mexico. Jackson County Operation Lone Star Task Force Deputy Jorge Franco assisted a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in conducting a traffic stop on the bus.
For readers in the Wharton County area, U.S. Highway 59 serves as the primary corridor connecting Wharton County with Jackson County and continues south through the region.
During the investigation, Deputy Franco, who also serves as an ICE 287(g) Task Force Officer, confirmed Hernandez was unlawfully present in the United States, according to the sheriff’s office. Hernandez was taken into custody on the Florida warrants, placed on an immigration hold, and transported to the Jackson County Detention Center.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office said the arrest was the result of cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Jackson County Sheriff’s Office