Three illegal aliens from El Salvador were arrested by Houston Police Department investigators in a sting operation targeting individuals using dating apps to solicit underage girls. The suspects—Abner Ruiz, Carlos Gomez, and Erick Menjivar—were charged with online solicitation of a minor. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged immigration detainers on all three after their arrests.
According to Houston Police, the men used the dating app Jaumo to attempt to meet girls they believed to be between 14 and 16 years old. The arrests occurred in separate incidents earlier this week.
Carlos Gomez, 33, was previously deported in 2020 after being convicted in 2015 for assaulting a family member. ICE reported that he illegally reentered the U.S. and was again apprehended on July 17, 2025. When Gomez arrived at the meetup location, he fled from police, driving recklessly before crashing into a closed gate that injured a pedestrian. He faces additional charges for fleeing and failure to render aid.
Erick Menjivar, 30, was initially arrested in 2018 and released pending immigration proceedings. His case was dismissed in 2024 under prosecutorial discretion. He was arrested again on July 18, 2025, and had previous charges for assault and disorderly conduct with a firearm.
Abner Ruiz, 37, was arrested on July 17, 2025. He has no known prior criminal charges in Harris County.
Crime Stoppers’ Andy Kahn emphasized the dangers posed by dating apps that allow unrestricted messaging. “The phone is now a weapon… an arsenal for offenders like these to get a hold of juvenile victims for sexual offenses,” Kahn warned.
The cases are being handled by Judge Lance Long in Harris County’s 183rd Criminal District Court.
