FALLS COUNTY, TX — A Rosebud man was caught by surprise early Thursday morning when, instead of meeting up with a young girl he met online, he was taken to jail by agents of the DPS-Criminal Investigations Division.
Richard Aguillon, age 53, had been chatting for weeks with Special Crimes Investigator Amber Howell from Falls County/District Attorney Jody Gillam’s office, believing her to be a 13-year-old from Marlin.
The arrests marked the culmination of several weeks of intense investigation undertaken by Gilliam’s office with assistance from DPS-CID.
Aguillon, a registered sex offender, hit Gilliam’s radar last year when a case was forwarded to her office for review by the Falls Co. Sheriff’s Office where a young child alleged that Aguillon had touched her inappropriately.
Gilliam’s investigator then discovered an online profile she believed to be Aguillon’s that had not been disclosed as required during his annual registration.
After sending Aguillon a “friend request” to gain access to this profile, Aguillon promptly initiated a conversation with her, according to investigators.
Aguillon went on to request photos and a meeting, and ultimately arranged to meet her near the old Veterans Affairs building in Marlin on Thursday morning at 9 a.m.. Aguillon arrived about an hour early, where he was greeted by DPS Agents and arrested.
“Investigator Howell did an outstanding job in catching a dangerous predator, and we greatly appreciated the help from DPS”, Gilliam said.
Aguillon remains in the Falls County Jail on bonds totaling $200,000.
