The Bexar County Sheriff's Office received a call on November 16, 2023 regarding an alleged sex offense involving a 15-year-old girl in far west Bexar County.
Deputies responded to the home after the victim's parents were shown video evidence by a neighbor of an unknown male walking between their homes. The parents confronted their daughter, who admitted to having sexual relations with her supposed 17-year-old boyfriend, who had just left the residence.
Upon searching the victim's phone, the parents found evidence suggesting the suspect was actually older than 17 and lived out of state. Further investigation by the Sheriff's Office revealed the suspect to be 19-year-old Christopher Francisco Vargas-Ortiz of Stratford, Connecticut, who allegedly traveled to Texas to meet up with the underage victim.
Sheriff Javier Salazar commended the neighbor who provided the video evidence that allowed the parents to learn of the illicit relationship. According to authorities, Vargas-Ortiz and the victim first met in March 2023 on a social networking mobile app called IMVU.
Vargas-Ortiz now faces charges related to traveling across state lines to engage in sexual activity with a minor. The investigation into the offenses is ongoing.
Salazar reiterated that parents should be vigilant about their children's online activities and relationships formed on social media.
