AMARILLO – On April 5 and 6, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Investigations Division (CID) Special Agents led an operation targeting child sexual predators in the Amarillo area. The operation resulted in three arrests for online solicitation of a minor. DPS Special Agents were assisted by DPS Highway Patrol, Randall County District Attorney’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspects were arrested when they arrived at an undisclosed location after soliciting sex online with investigators posing as minors.
Undercover officers arrested the following persons:
- Ryan Skobel, 36, of Amarillo, Texas
- Michael Marry, 27, of Amarillo, Texas
- Corey Bills, 42, of Lubbock, Texas
Solicitation of a minor involves a defendant asking or engaging in a conversation with a minor and, during that conversation, asking (or soliciting) the minor to meet for the purpose of engaging in a sexual act. Online solicitation of a minor under Texas Penal Code Section 33.021(c) is a felony of the second degree. Second-degree felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
