by | Published
SAN ANTONIO, TX — A 25-year-old man is behind bars after a Bexar County investigation revealed he allegedly used his social media presence as a skater to groom and eventually assault a child. Mario Yturarte was arrested on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, following a digital trail discovered by the victim's parents.
Yturarte faces two serious felony charges:
Sexual Assault of a Child
Online Solicitation of a Minor
According to the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), the predatory relationship began approximately two years ago when the victim first encountered Yturarte at a local skating rink. Impressed by Yturarte’s skating skills, the minor began following him on Instagram.
Investigators say what started as a social media following turned into a targeted grooming effort:
Digital Pressuring: In 2025, Yturarte allegedly began messaging the child frequently, using his online influence to pressure the juvenile into meeting in person.
Knowledge of Age: Despite Yturarte's alleged awareness of the victim's age, he continued to pursue the relationship.
Physical Assaults: The victim disclosed to detectives that they met Yturarte on two separate occasions, during which sexual acts occurred.
The abuse was uncovered when the victim’s parents found sexually explicit messages from "Mario" on the child's electronic devices and immediately contacted authorities.
The BCSO STOP (Sheriff's Tactical Operations Program) Unit tracked Yturarte down on February 4, executing two arrest warrants. He was transp
