A 13-year-old boy was walking to a friend’s house when a convicted sex offender allegedly offered to pay $100 to see the boy’s genitals, court documents state.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 47-year-old Joe Hector Miranda of Fabens on Sept. 4, on suspicion of criminal solicitation of a minor, sheriff’s office spokesperson Priscilla I. Contreras said in a news release.
Joe Hector Miranda
No attorney is listed in court records for Miranda.
Convicted sex offender offered victim $100
A deputy responded to a “subject disturbing” report about 4:40 p.m. Sept. 4, at a home in the 100 block of Southeast River Street in the Fabens area in far East El Paso County.
The deputy arrived at the area and saw a 13-year-old boy waving him down, a complaint affidavit states. The boy said a man offered him $100 in exchange for showing him his genitals. He added the man was last seen walking down South Fabens Road. The boy pointed out the man who was about 40 yards away.
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The deputy went up to the man, who identified himself as Joe Hector Miranda. He told the deputy, “I’m just walking around to clear my head,” the affidavit states. A background check revealed Miranda was a registered sex offender.
The deputy detained the man, put him in handcuffs and placed him in the back of his patrol car. The deputy then drove back to the victim. The deputy noted in the affidavit that the victim did not know Miranda was in the car.
Sex offender pleads to see boy’s genitals
The deputy interviewed the boy about what happened. The boy said he was walking to his friend’s house when Miranda approached him.
Miranda allegedly offered the boy $100 to show him his genitals, and he would show the boy his genitals.
The boy told the deputy that at first he did not understand what Miranda said and thought he was asking for money, the affidavit states. So the boy responded with “I don’t have any money.”
Miranda allegedly repeated the offer. After hearing what Miranda said, the boy said it “made him feel uncomfortable, so he proceeded to continue walking to his friend’s house,” the affidavit states.
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Miranda allegedly repeatedly told the boy “please” as the boy walked away. Once the boy got to his friend’s house, he went inside and called 911.
The boy told the deputy that Miranda was wearing blue shorts and a black shirt with a tan hat. The same clothes Miranda was wearing when the deputy detained him, the affidavit states.
The deputy arrested Miranda on suspicion of criminal solicitation of a minor. The boy’s father told the deputy he wanted to file charges against Miranda on behalf of his son.
Miranda was booked into the El Paso County jail on Sept. 4, on a $25,000 bond, jail records show. He remains jailed as of Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Miranda previously convicted of child sex crimes
Miranda was convicted of indecency with a child by exposure in 2014, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Sex Offender Registry. The victim in this case was a 15-year-old boy.
He was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. He was required to register as a sex offender until 2028, the registry states.
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Court records show Miranda was arrested on April 15 in connection with a charge of solicitation of a person under 18 years old. This case remains pending in the 210 District Court with Judge Alyssa Perez overseeing the case. A trial date is set for Jan. 30.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office officials urge anyone with additional information regarding Miranda to come forward.
“The Sheriff’s Office remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting children and ensuring that offenders who prey on minors are held accountable,” the news release states.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com or on X/Twitter @AMartinezEPT.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Fabens man arrested, allegedly offered boy $100 to show genitals