U.S. Army soldier arrested in El Paso for online solicitation of a minor
EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — A 22-year-old man who was accused of online solicitation of a minor was arrested during his stay in El Paso.
Axel Cabrera, a U.S. Army soldier working in El Paso, used Tinder to communicate with a 15-year-old girl, court documents stated.
A Fort Bliss spokesperson said Cabrera is an active-duty soldier assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado. He was deployed to El Paso in mid-May to help with border security.
Cabrera was arrested on June 8 by agents who work for the Texas Criminal Investigation Division in a special undercover operation.
Court documents showed Cabrera messaged a undercover agent, who posed as a teenage girl on the dating app.
Cabrera reportedly briefly chatted with the agent before Cabrera provide his phone number.
Cabrera mentioned he was in El Paso for a short time due to Army training.
"Yeah like I said, l'm only here for a few months and l'm not trying to get caught up, lol," Cabrera texted the agent.
Cabrera seemed nervous about communicating with the posing teen.
"l'm kinda paranoid though LMAO," Cabrera texted. The agent responded, "U right we should not talk."
Cabrera texted back, "LOL, it's just a feeling, but [explicative] it."
The suspect's affidavit showed Cabrera continued to chat and ask questions about the posing teen's dating life, such as; "Did you do anything with him?"
He followed up asking if she had sexually engaged with her previous relationship partner and if she would be interested in engaging in such activity with him.
Cabrera mentioned he was staying at the Extended Stay America hotel off of Montana Avenue.
He reportedly asked the minor if she wanted to come by and "chill."
The agent told Cabrera her friend was going to drop her off at his hotel.
Cabrera insisted the girl meet him at a nearby restaurant close to his hotel.
Agents standing by, witnessed Cabrera walk to a nearby gas station and purchase condoms and Gummy Bears, which the undercover agent had requested in the chats.
When the agent told Cabrera that she was at the restaurant, authorities arrested the 22-year-old.
Cabrera was charged with online solicitation of a minor.
As of Tuesday, Cabrera remained at the El Paso County Detention Center.
In May, active duty troops arrived in El Paso to offer support ahead of an expected increase of migrants, according to U.S. defense officials.
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Editors Note: The original booking photo of Axel Cabrera, provided by the El Paso County sheriffs office, was incorrect . The correct photo is now displayed as of June 14.
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