Operation "Trick or Trap": Five Arrested in Lubbock Predator Sting and What Lawton Parents Should Know

Lubbock police say five people are in custody after a multi-agency sting called Operation“Trick or Trap,”aimed at adults who use social media to reach children. Four of the suspects face charges of online solicitation of a minor, while one, Daniel Lee Boutain, 61, also faces a controlled substance charge. Authorities organized the operation after reports that a group of online predators was targeting children in the Lubbock area, with some kids contacted through social media and transported into the city.

Online solicitation of a minor in Texas is typically a third-degree felony, and penalties can climb to a second-degree felony depending on the victim’s age. The suspects range in age from 30 to 64, a reminder that this crime doesn’t fit one profile. Law enforcement from multiple agencies worked together to make the arrests.

For families here in Lawton, the case is a wake-up call. With so many mission families at Fort Sill coming and going through Texas, our kids are active on the same apps and platforms where these contacts started. Take a few minutes this week to review privacy settings, check friend lists, and talk about what to do when a stranger messages. Have you had the online safety talk with your kids yet, or is it time for a refresher?