On 8/27/12, Matthew Owens, a 36-year-old Houston man, pled guilty in Judge Jose Longoria’s court to Online Solicitation of a Minor and received a 17 year prison sentence.  

In September of 2011, Owens began communicating via the internet with what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl.  Through numerous conversations, Owens arranged to travel to Corpus Christi from his home in Houston and have sex with the 12-year-old. 

Owens also committed lewd acts via webcam while he believed he was communicating with the girl.  In March of 2012, Owens arrived in Corpus Christi and attempted to meet with the girl at which time he was arrested by detectives with CCPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  Owens brought his 9 and 12-year-old daughters with him while he attempted to meet her.  The case was prosecuted by the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office. 

CCPD’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was assisted in this investigation by the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.  I.C.A.C. Task Force Supervisor Captain James Brandon recommends visiting http://www.netsmart.org/Parents which provides internet safety tips for parents and guardians.