Abilene man arrested on charges of aggravated attempted kidnapping, online child harassment

RUNNELS COUNTY, Texas. Abilene man faced attempted aggravated kidnapping and extortion of minors online after a family friend saw him dating a 12-year-old in Winters Park and alerted family members.

The Winters Police Department said the 12-year-old juvenile “met” Ernest Martinez Jr. on social media and the two interacted frequently on social media and via text messages.

The minor agreed to meet Martinez at a park within the city limits of Winters. While they were at the park, a family friend saw the child and called family members, knowing it felt wrong, according to WPD. Once the family member reached the park, Martinez left the scene.

The WPD was able to positively identify Martinez and found that he was from Abilene. Warrants have been requested and granted.

The Texas Department of Public Safety CID in Abilene was able to locate and arrest Martinez. He was incarcerated in the Taylor County Jail on $150,000 bail for each charge.

The WPD said the minor was unharmed.