South Texas jury convicts child pornographer for sexually enticing a minor via Craigslist

LAREDO, Texas — A North Texas man was convicted Tuesday after posting an online ad seeking sexual contact with a young girl.

This conviction was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez, Southern District of Texas. This investigation was led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigation (HSI).  

Edwin Oland Andrus, from Cleburne, Texas, was convicted after a South Texas jury deliberated for less than two hours after a two-day trial.

According to court documents, the jury heard that Andrus posted an online ad on Craigslist seeking a “naughty little young girl.” An HSI special agent responded to the ad. Soon after, Andrus engaged in email and text communications with the undercover agent, believing the agent was a woman with a 14-year-old daughter. During those conversations, Andrus graphically and explicitly described sexual acts he wanted to perform on the woman and the young girl.

The jury also heard that Andrus offered to drive to Laredo on several occasions. Exactly one week after the agent initially responded to the ad, Andrus drove almost 400 miles from Cleburne to Laredo with the intention to engage in sexual contact with the minor female. He was arrested upon arrival on Jan. 13, 2017.  Authorities discovered that Andrus had brought with him condoms, personal lubricant and a “morning-after” pill.

Andrus had previously admitted he intended to have sex with the 14-year-old. At trial, however, he changed his story and said he did not plan to engage in sexual activity. The jury was not convinced and found him guilty as charged.

Sentencing will be set at a later date. At that time, Andrus faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

Andrus has been and will remain in custody pending that hearing.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alfredo De La Rosa and Giselle S. Guerra, Southern District of Texas, prosecuted this case.

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 14,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2015, nearly 2,400 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196.

Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.

For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.