The Llano County Sheriff’s Office recently carried out Operation Red Light, resulting in the arrests of five individuals on charges of soliciting prostitution. In addition to the solicitation arrests, five sex offenders who had failed to comply with registration requirements were taken in as a result of evidence gathered during the operation.

One of the suspects was also charged with solicitation of prostitution of a child. All five of the arrested sex offenders had been previously convicted of crimes involving children between the ages of six and 15 years old.  

The law enforcement action, carried out in late June, was described by Sheriff Marquis Cantu as a “proactive operation focused on protecting our community from sexual exploitation.” 

“In Llano County we will continue to pursue those who exploit others,” Cantu said in a filmed statement shared on Monday, June 29. “Those who come here looking to victimize the vulnerable can expect to leave in handcuffs. Predators beware, we are watching, we are investigating, and we will find you.”

The operation targeted individuals seeking commercial sex in Llano County. The charge of solicitation of prostitution is a state jail felony, punishable by up to two years in prison and $10,000 in fines. Solicitation of prostitution of a child is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison and $10,000 in fines.

Solicitation of prostitution arrests

• Jack Lawson, of Liberty Hill, arrested on June 25, 2026 (also charged with solicitation of prostitution of a child)
• Dennis Robinson, of Lampasas, arrested on June 25, 2026
• James Eck Rippie Jr., of Taylor, arrested on June 25, 2026
• Tobas Augustin, of Plano, arrested on June 25, 2026 
• Samlee Garner, of Burnet, arrested on June 26, 2026 

The LCSO also released the following statement on the impacts of prostitution:

“Commercial sex crimes are one of the largest contributors to human trafficking and are often associated with assaults, narcotics offenses, and other criminal activity. 

“While these arrests represent individual criminal offenses, they also address a broader public safety issue. Human trafficking exists because there are individuals willing to pay for the exploitation of others.  

“By targeting those who create the demand for commercial sex, law enforcement disrupts the market that allows traffickers to profit from vulnerable adults and children.”

Those arrested for violating their sex offender registration requirements had all already been convicted of child sex crimes.

Failure to comply with Texas sex offender registration requirements arrests

• Logan Pruitt, original charge: indecency with a 15-year-old child
• Richard Mosely, original charge: indecency with a 7-year-old child
• Trinity Chambers, original charge: sexual assault of a 14-year-old child
• Roy Blalock, original charge: indecency with a 12-year-old child
• Cody Sample, original charge: indecency with a 6-year-old child

dakota@thepicayune.com