An anti-prostitution sting conducted by the Corpus Christi Police Department’s Narcotics and Vice Investigations Division Wednesday afternoon resulted in the arrest of four men for solicitation of prostitution, a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in a state jail facility and fines up to $10,000. Despite the intense heat that has plagued the city in recent weeks, these four men were undaunted in their quest for illegal sexual activity, resulting in their arrests when they solicited an undercover CCPD Officer, posing as a prostitute, for sex acts in exchange for money. The operation targeted several north and west side neighborhoods frequented by prostitutes. Arrested for solicitation of prostitution were Homero Padron-Rivera, age 42; Steven Jimenez, age 26; Miguel Angel Garcia, age 60; and Erubiel Lira Aradillas, age 44.

NVID Detectives were assisted in the operation by Directed Patrol Officers, along with civilians with the Red Cord Initiative. The Red Cord Initiative is a prostitution diversion program designed to provide practical and emotional support for those involved in prostitution. The program is successful due to the collaboration between the Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation, social service organizations, the Nueces County District Attorney Office, and the Corpus Christi Police Department. The program affords those involved with sex work an opportunity to address the myriad of behavioral, social, and psychological problems they have faced throughout their lifetime. Since 2013, Red Cord has provided numerous women with health services, job training, substance abuse treatment, clothing, housing, counseling, and other social services needed to address the circumstances related to their involvement in prostitution. Participants who successfully complete the program have their cases dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office.

The men arrested during Wednesday’s operation may be required to attend a prostitution diversion education program, at their expense, in addition to the criminal fines and penalties. This program educates men about the negative consequences of prostitution, circumstances that may lead someone to purchase sex, and the impact they have on the individual they attempt to solicit sex from in exchange for money. The fees raised from this program are then used to provide some of the resources mentioned above, to assist women seeking to escape the bondage of prostitution.

Although often inaccurately referred to as a “victimless” crime, prostitution is inextricably linked to multiple other crimes including assault, human trafficking, sexual abuse, drug abuse, and the spread of sexually transmitted infectious disease. Neighborhoods where prostitution is prevalent experience a drastic degradation of the quality of life that citizens expect and deserve. The Corpus Christi Police Department will continue to collaborate with all government and private entities to combat prostitution and help accomplish our mission of working with the community to reduce crime, reduce the fear of crime and enhance public safety.

On July 12, 2023, at 12:22 am, officers responded to the 4600 block of Kostoryz Dr. in reference to shots heard. When officers arrived, they located a 39-year-old male with a gunshot wound and he was immediately transported to a local hospital with life threatening injuries.

As the officers were at the scene another victim, a 21-year-old female, had arrived at a local hospital with a gunshot wound.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division began their investigation and evidence led to a suspect being identified. A warrant for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon was obtained for 23-year-old Latraye Callandret.

On Thursday July 13, 2023, at 10:02 pm Latraye Callandret was stopped for a traffic violation and placed into custody for the outstanding warrant. He was transported to the City Detention Center for processing.

The original charge was upgraded to murder on Friday, July 14, 2023, after the victim passed away from the injuries. Callandret was already booked into the Nueces County Jail and the murder warrant was served at the Nueces County Jail on Friday, July 14, 2023.

On July 24, 2023, Homicide Detectives were able secure additional warrants for a second offender, 46-year-old Ramondo Stewart, in reference to the shooting.

On July 25, 2023, Officers with the CCPD Gang Unit and U.S Marshals Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force arrested Ramondo Stewart for two active warrants, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon with a $500,000.00 bond, and Murder with a $500,000.00 bond. He was transported to the City Detention Center for booking.

Corpus Christi Police Detectives would like your help in identifying a suspect in a Theft and Credit Card Abuse Case that occurred on July 20, 2023.

On July 20th a victim’s wallet was stolen from a south side gym. Later the suspect used several credit cards to purchase items at a local business.

If you have any information about these crimes or the suspect, please call our Criminal Investigation Division at 361-886-2840

You may also call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at https://www.p3tips.com/TipForm.aspx?ID=343&C=&T=. Information provided to Crime Stoppers is anonymous and if the information leads to an arrest, it could earn you a cash reward.

On Wednesday, July 19, 2023, at 9:37 pm, Officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of Weber Road in reference to a reporting party stating they had video footage of an assault of a mentally disabled male victim. 

Officers spoke with the reporting party who provided video footage of the incident. The video shows a male set up his cell phone to record the incident. The male then intentionally assaults the victim, who is lying in bed, completely unable to defend himself.  

Detectives with Robbery/Homicide began their investigation and were able to identify 21-year-old Caleb Gomez as the suspect in the assault. Detectives secured a warrant for Gomez for Injury to a Disabled Individual, bond amount $75,000. 

On July 22,2023, DPS Troopers located Gomez in San Patricio County and placed him into custody for the outstanding warrant. Gomez was booked into the San Patricio County Jail and has since bonded out. 

This is an on-going investigation. If you have any information about this crime, please call our Criminal Investigations Division at 361-886-2840. You may also call Crime Stoppers at 361-888-TIPS or submit the information online at www.p3tips.com/community/index.htm.

Great safety tips from the National Insurance Crime Bureau! Stay safe Corpus Christi, and remember: If You Like It, Lock It!

Operation Safe Return is in 2 weeks. Mark it on your calendar and we hope to see you there. If you need more information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 361-886-2765.

Officers are actively enforcing loud vehicle exhausts.  Make sure your vehicle is in compliance.  If your vehicle is not in compliance, you could be issued a citation, which could result in a fine of up to $500.00.

Here are a few things to keep in mind should you travel to downtown Corpus Christi for the Mayor’s 46th Annual Fourth of July Big Bang Fireworks Celebration on Tuesday.

Shoreline will be closed from Park Ave to IH 37.

Should you need to access the T-Heads you will have to use Water Steet.

Parking near the event and along surrounding streets will be prohibited or limited to provide a pedestrian-safe environment for patrons. The public should expect to see NO PARKING signage in place by 7:00 a.m. on Monday, July 3. Enforcement of these parking restrictions will begin at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4.

The Highway 181 Burleson exit will be closed at 5:00 pm. To access North Beach after 5:00 pm you will need to use the Beach Avenue exit.

The public is encouraged to use the free RTA Park and Ride service. The pickup site will be the City Hall parking lot, and the drop-off site will be at Water Street between Lomax Street and John Sartain Street. The hours of operation are from 11:30 a.m. until 30 minutes after the fireworks show.

Have a safe and fun Independence Day.

We want everyone to have a safe and fun 4th of July. Discharging a firearm within the city limits of Corpus Christi is illegal and dangerous.

The Corpus Christi Police Department wishes our residents and visitors a safe Independence Day. We want to remind you to please be safe and responsible as you celebrate.

For those who will be including alcohol in their celebration, we ask that you plan to ensure that you have a safe and sober ride home. There are many options to get home safely, call a cab, ride share or have a designated driver. There will be dedicated officers out for the sole purpose of driving while intoxicated enforcement.

It is unlawful to discharge fireworks inside the city limits. A citation for discharging fireworks inside the Corpus Christi city limits is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 dollars. It is also unlawful to possess opened packages of fireworks and the punishment is a fine of up to $2,000 dollars per package.

Officers will also be on the lookout for celebratory gunfire. Discharging a firearm inside the city limits is punishable up to a year in jail and up to a $4,000 fine. The penalty increases if a person is injured by the gunfire.

Anyone who would like to report fireworks violations should call the Corpus Christi Police by calling 886-COPS (2677). Please do not call 911 for the sole purpose of fireworks complaints.