Bexar County Sheriff’s Office – Lawrence Edward Paul arrest (March 17, 2026)
SAN ANTONIO (KTSA News) — The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the arrest of a man accused of trying to solicit a minor for sex.
Sheriff Javier Salazar said during a Monday press conference that Lawrence Edward Paul, 59, was arrested after he showed up to meet who he thought was a 17-year-old girl he had been communicating with online.
However, it was the communication investigators say Paul had with another contact that got the investigation started.
BCSO says Paul had previously had contact with a person he thought was a 15-year-old girl, but in both cases the contacts were undercover investigators working with the agency’s Human Exploitation Unit. Salazar says the discussion with the agents was sexual in nature, and Paul reportedly went by the name ‘cheer dad’ online.
Investigators say the probe started two weeks ago and Paul was arrested Monday without incident at Ingram Park Mall. It is believed Paul went there to meet one of the minors to buy them clothes.
Paul has been charged with online solicitation of a minor, a third-degree felony.
Salazar says Paul had no criminal history, but he is also urging anyone who might be a victim to reach out to BCSO at 210-335-6000.
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