TEXARKANA, Texas -- Eight men have been arrested in an undercover sting operation targeting prostitution.
Each of the men allegedly thought he was negotiating sex for money with a person engaged in prostitution. However, they actually were text messaging with an undercover officer, according to probable cause affidavits.
All of the men arrested May 10-11 have been charged with felonies.
Until Sept. 1, 2021, solicitation of prostitution was a Class B misdemeanor. Thereafter the offense was upped to a felony punishable by six months to two years in a state jail. The change in the law is an effort by Texas legislators to combat human trafficking.
Texas is the first state to make buying sex a felony.
Three of the men have been charged with online solicitation of a minor and face two to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Marlon Deran Burks Jr., 31, of Texarkana, Texas, allegedly agreed to pay $100 for sex with a minor. When he arrived at a meeting location, Burks was arrested for online solicitation of a minor, according to the affidavit. Burks also is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
Burks allegedly had a Glock pistol and a small amount of marijuana in his possession. Court records show he was convicted of burglary in 2011. Burks is being held in the Bowie County jail on bails totaling $55,000.
Matthew Bryan, 29, of Oak Ridge, Louisiana, is charged with solicitation of prostitution after allegedly negotiating to pay $100 for sex. He is free on a $7,500 bond.
Daniel Santos-Medina, 42, of Hope, Arkansas, is charged with online solicitation of a minor after allegedly agreeing to pay $175 for sex. He is free after posting bond on a $50,000 bail.
Vincent Darrell Mathis, 29, of Hughes Springs, Texas, is charged with online solicitation of a minor after allegedly agreeing to pay $125 for sex. Mathis is free after posting bond on a $50,000 bail.
William "Bill" Parker, 55, of Ashdown, Arkansas, allegedly agreed to pay $225 for sex. He is charged with solicitation of prostitution and is free on a $7,000 bond.
Bruce Layne McCandless, 58, was arrested for solicitation of prostitution after allegedly running from and struggling with officers. He faces misdemeanor charges of evading arrest and resisting arrest in addition to the felony solicitation charge. McCandless is free on bonds totaling $15,000.
Ricky Joe Wright, 42, of Atlanta, Texas, allegedly agreed to pay $100 for sex. He was arrested for solicitation of prostitution and is free on a $7,000 bond.
Rigoberto Garcia, 41, of Texarkana, Texas, is charged with solicitation of prostitution after allegedly agreeing to pay "a fee" for sex. Garcia was also arrested for possession of methamphetamine under 1 gram and faces six months to two years in a state jail if convicted. He is being held in the Bowie County jail on bails totaling $12,000.