#parent | #kids | #ChildMolester | UTMB surgeon one of eight alleged child predators arrested in undercover online chat sting 

A surgeon, a chef and a business owner are among those being charged in an initiative to capture online predators seeking people trying to sexually exploit children.

According to a news release, the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force “conducted a multi-day online undercover initiative with the Harris County Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen’s Office and Houston Police Department leading the operation, culminating in the arrest of eight individuals, including a surgeon and a registered sex offender.”

The operation’s goal was “to identify and apprehend adults using the internet and social media to sexually exploit children by soliciting sex and/or sex-related acts.”

Task force officers — certified in undercover chat using online personas — posed as minors in various social media applications. The officers worked from late August to early September to effect the arrests, according to the news release.

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The individuals arrested include:

 Patrick Ryan Craig, a 37-year-old registered sex offender from Spring. According to the ICAC, he owns a Bullritos Restaurant in Spring. He has a prior history for attempted sexual performance by child in Harris County. He was sentenced to eight years in the Texas Department of Corrections in 2005 and was paroled in 2013. He is currently out on $100,000 bond. He has been a registered sex offender since Jan. 20, 2010, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

  Shawn Paul Robinson, 38, of Galveston. Robinson is reportedly employed at University of Texas Medical Branch as a surgeon. The ICAC reports Robinson is from Pittsburgh, Penn., and is in the area on a fellowship for heart specialization. He has posted a bond of $15,000.

  Marcial Ramirez, 38, of Pasadena. According to the ICAC, he currently works as a temporary employee in a Houston-area warehouse. He was previously arrested for possession of dangerous drugs in Harris County but the misdemeanor case was dismissed, according to Harris County District Clerk records. He has posted a bond of $15,000.

  Pablo Feliz Estrada, 24, of Houston. He is listed as a cashier. He has no previous record in Harris County and has posed bond of $10,000.

  Gerald Jamal Colomb, 34, of Houston. According to the ICAC, he claims “to be a self-employed chef who owns/operates his own food truck in the Houston area” and claims “to volunteer coaching for football/basketball games for his kids in the Houston area.” He has previously been arrested on misdemeanor charges of marijuana possession and driving with a suspended license. He has posted a $20,000 bond.

  Nicholas Cosby, 37 of Houston. He is a warehouse worker in the Houston area. He is currently being held in Harris County Jail under $20,000 bond. His previous record includes a felony assault on a family member case and several misdemeanor charges dating back to 2001.

  David Arellano, 31, of Houston. Arellano is listed as unemployed. He has posted a $15,000 bond. He has no other criminal record in Harris County.

  Williard Billings, 77, of Houston. The retiree is listed as formerly being in the military. His bond was revoked “for being back online/on social media,” according to the ICAC and District Clerk records. He reportedly “chatted on the same social media platform with the same (undercover officer) he chatted with when arrested (on March 20, 2019).” He has no criminal history except for an arrest for online solicitation of a minor in March 2019.

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The charge of felony online solicitation of a minor has a potential punishment ranging from probation or two-20 years in prison, if convicted.

The Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office, and the Houston Police Department were joined in this effort by other law enforcement partners in the region. The other agencies include the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, Harris County District Attorney’s Office, Katy ISD Police Department, League City Police Department, Missouri City Police Department, Humble Police Department, Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, United States Secret Service, and Cypress Creek Tactical EMS.

For more information on the Houston Metro Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, click here.

rkent@hcnonline.com