ANGLETON — A 31-year-old Brazoria County man has been arrested on three first-degree felony charges following an investigation into allegations of child sexual exploitation, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
The sheriff’s office identified the suspect as Edward Lawrence Diaz III, 31, of Angleton.
According to BCSO, members of its Criminal Investigations Division, assisted by members of the Houston-Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, executed a search warrant Aug. 14 in the 900 block of Southside Drive in Angleton.
Investigators said the warrant was executed as part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of child sexual exploitation.
During the investigation, authorities reported finding Diaz in possession of multiple items containing Child Sexual Abuse Material, or CSAM.
Based on evidence located during the execution of the search warrant, Diaz was taken into custody and charged with three counts of possession of child pornography involving 50 or more visual depictions, according to the sheriff’s office.
BCSO said the charges involve videos depicting the sexual assault of a child. Each charge is classified as a first-degree felony and can carry a punishment of up to life in prison under Texas law.
Investigation Near Elementary School
The sheriff’s office also addressed the proximity of the investigation to Southside Elementary School.
Investigators said they are aware the location is near the elementary school but emphasized that they have found no indication that any Southside Elementary students were involved in or connected to the investigation.
The Investigation Remains Ongoing
Anyone with information regarding crimes against children is encouraged to contact the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Brazoria County neighbors Wharton County and is part of Wharton Post’s surrounding-county coverage area.
The charges described are allegations. A person charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office
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