A former police officer in North Texas was ordered to serve three consecutive life sentences in jail after investigators discovered him in possession of over 300 movies and pictures of youngsters being sexually abused, in response to an announcement from Johnson and Somerville Counties’ district legal professional.
Former Itasca Police Division Officer Daniel Joseph Bates was convicted Wednesday of possession of kid pornography and on-line solicitation of a minor after a civilian set him up in an entrapment scheme, in response to an announcement District Legal professional Timothy Good shared with Fox Information Digital.
Texas Rangers arrested Bates after an grownup decoy posing as a 15-year-old woman alerted police that Bates was speaking with somebody he believed to be a minor, in response to the assertion.
The civilian alerted police to Bates’ communications with him, prompting Rangers to acquire a search warrant for his digital gadgets, they usually allegedly discovered over 300 photos of minor kids being sexually abused, in response to the assertion.
“The photographs and movies that needed to be processed and offered to the jury are indescribable within the stage of depravity they depict and the diploma of deviance of the defendant who voluntarily possessed and seen these varieties of photos,” Good mentioned within the assertion.”
“Daniel Bates disgraced his badge and violated his oath and have become the monster that he was sworn to guard the group from. Our group is safer with Bates serving three consecutive life sentences.”
Bates testified that the kid pornography in his possession was a part of a secret investigation he was conducting into human traffickers, however prosecutors disputed that.
Bates was solely a reserve police officer and, on the time of his arrest, was working freeway development safety, in response to authorities.
“Bates was unable to substantiate his claims that he was conducting an official police investigation,” the assertion learn.
Bates reportedly instructed the individual he was speaking with that, as a result of he was a police officer, he carries a gun always. This prompted Arlind Queriman, a civilian who creates video content material wherein he exposes individuals who attempt to solicit minors for intercourse, to contact authorities, in response to FOX 4 Dallas.
“Some folks say we’re vigilantes. Vigilantes beat up these folks. I hand every little thing over to regulation enforcement,” Queriman instructed FOX 4.
Bates additionally tried to make use of his standing as a reserve police officer to get out of the costs.
“He really tried to play the badge factor,” Good instructed FOX 4.
“The badge was purported to be a protect for youngsters — not a protect for a predator. He made his selections. The jury made its verdict. And the choose made positive his subsequent alternative will probably be comprised of a jail cell for the remainder of his life,” Assistant District Legal professional Christy Could mentioned by way of the assertion shared with Fox Information Digital.
The three life sentences for youngster pornography possession are accompanied by a 40-year sentence for solicitation of a minor, in response to the assertion.
Fox Information Digital contacted Itasca Police Division for additional remark.
