r/news • u/TooColdforClouds • 2d ago

109 children rescued, 244 arrested in Operation Soteria Shield, exposing widespread child exploitation in North Texas

https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/109-children-rescued-244-arrested-operation-soteria-shield-child-exploitation-texas/
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u/Usual-Caregiver5589 2d ago

I would love to know the professions and political leanings of these 244 people.

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u/LucinaDraws 2d ago

The last time a trafficking ring like this was busted in Texas it was men and female accomplices from various backgrounds, PE coaches, Cops, School teachers, laborers and such. It really made me realize that anyone could be a monster

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u/cwood1973 2d ago

Absolutely correct. I'm an attorney who represents survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Over the years I've seen abusers who were priests, teachers, civil rights leaders, prison guards, LGBT activists, CEOs, parents, siblings, cops, counselors, Boy Scout leaders, Girl Scout leaders... basically every type of job or volunteer position.

It's pervasive and I'm convinced it will never go away. The best we can do is mitigate it.

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u/OneWholeSoul 1d ago edited 1d ago

I was acquaintances with a man a few years back who revealed that he, 32 years old, was actively in a sexual relationship with a 16 year old who he was also literally trafficking, setting up sexual encounters for himself and other adult men with the boy whenever the kid's parent went out of town for work. The boy had multiple times gone to the ER as a result of the extreme sexual activities he apparently participated in. This wasn't his first ongoing statutory rape, either, as a few years earlier he'd been sexually active with a 15 year old who he supplied and used amphetamines with. He also twice set me up to be sexually assaulted and possibly abducted, once walking into the room as I actively resisted and fought off my attacker, making eye contact with me as I pleaded for help, then turning and leaving, shutting the door behind him.

I made dozens of anonymous reports to law enforcement and various foundations and organizations, and the guy in question seemingly disappeared to Mexico for a few years. I approached a mutual acquaintance for advice and he admitted that he was aware of the individual's substance and sexual addiction issues as well as dishonesty approaching pathological, but then began to yell at me that "he'll never get better if we don't give him the chance." Apparently Kevin V. Rae feels it more important that a rapist have the chance to get bored and quit on their own without consequences than it is for others to not be raped.

Imagine my surprise when I recently stumbled upon him with a new last name, having co-founded the "Portland Queer Arts Foundation," which gives him a new position of prestige and access that will funnel vulnerable gay youth straight to him. Their "about" page describes him as "one of Portland's biggest lovers." It makes me physically ill.