Alert school bus driver prevents child exploitation

Gholson, Tx ( FOX44 ) – An alert school bus driver has been credited with preventing a child being picked up by a suspected online predator, triggering an investigation and leading to an arrest.

McLennan County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Cody Blossman said it started Thursday when a school bus driver picking up children near Gholson noticed a suspicious vehicle near the bus stop, flashing lights in what looked to him like an attempt to attract a child’s attention. The driver also noticed that one of the children seemed to hold back from getting on the bus and appeared ready to go to the vehicle.

The bus driver quickly convinced the child to get on the bus and immediately alerted the school administration. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted and an investigation was launched. It was determined that social media had been used to solicit a minor for illicit purposes, targeting a time when the child would be going to school. Investigators set up what the suspect believed would be a second attempted meeting with the child, leading him to meet an undercover operative instead. Arrested was 25-year-old Aryon Alexander Cyprian of Dallas. He was booked into the McLennan County Jail on a charge of online solicitation of a minor, which is a second-degree felony. He has since posted $10,000 bond and has been released.

In a statement, the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office commended the school bus driver’s quick actions, which they said brought the matter to light and enabled a rapid response by the Human Trafficking Unit. They said this collaboration played a critical role in protecting the community and preventing a predator’s dangerous behavior.

Chief Deputy Blossman said:

This incident highlights the importance of parents and guardians staying aware of their children’s online activity and social media interactions, as internet platforms are sometimes used by individuals with harmful intentions toward young people .

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