Tennessee man who received child porn from Harlingen man arrested, police say

HARLINGEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — On Monday, it was reported that a Harlingen man was arrested for producing and exchanging child porn with a man in Tennessee. On Tuesday, police announced the Tennessee man was arrested as well.

Edward Van Epps of Murfreesboro, 44, was arrested on charges of aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual exploitation of a minor, according to a news release from the Murfreesboro Police Department.

On Monday, ValleyCentral reported that the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, arrested 33-year-old Juan Gabriel Mendoza of Harlingen.

According to Murfreesboro police, a cybertip led to a two-month investigation that revealed that Van Epps was receiving sexually explicit photos of young girls.

A search warrant was executed July 9, where detectives arrested Van Epps at the Knights Inn on S. Church Street. Police noted that Van Epps is a registered sex offender.

“As a detective working Internet Crimes Against Children cases, the number one goal is to save children,” Detective Jenna Petersen said.  “The newly created unit in our Special Investigations Division at MPD is dedicated to protecting our children in the community and online.”

Police stated that Mendoza was arrested in South Texas, “dismantling a possible child porn ring.” Two young girls were rescued and are safe.

A news release from the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office stated that Mendoza admitted to producing and distributing the sexually explicit material. The images that were exchanged included children under the age of 4 years old, authorities detailed.

Mendoza remains jailed in Cameron County on a $300,000 bond. Van Epps is jailed at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center, where his bond was set at $175,000.

Authorities added that both Mendoza and Van Epps are expected to face additional charges.

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