The New Braunfels Police Department has arrested a New Braunfels man on a 3rd degree felony charge of Possession of Child Pornography.
On Aug. 12, 2017, at approximately 9pm, NBPD officers were called to the New Braunfels Wal-Mart location in the 1200 block of I-35 South for a report of invasive visual recording. An 11-year old girl reported to her parents that someone had taken a picture of her under the bathroom stall. Officers arrived and discovered an adult male still inside the women’s restroom. The male was initially taken into custody that night on two outstanding New Braunfels Municipal Court warrants. Meanwhile, NBPD detectives began conducting an investigation into the contents of the male’s mobile phone. Based on the outcry from the 11-year old witness, and the results of the ensuing investigation, it was determined that the male was in possession of a photograph of a 5-year old female victim.
On Nov. 1st, 2017, an arrest warrant for Possession of Child Pornography was issued for 36-year old Hermes Estuardo Mendez of New Braunfels. Investigators initially had a difficult time locating Mendez, but on Nov. 28, 2017, at approximately 6pm, Mendez was taken into custody at his residence in the 1200 block of South Mesquite Avenue. He was arrested without incident with the assistance of the US Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Bond for Mendez was set at $200,000 and, as of this release, he remained in custody at the Comal County Jail.
NBPD investigators believe there may be an additional adult victim in this case and they are looking for an as yet unidentified adult female who was in the women’s restroom in the back portion of the Wal-Mart store in New Braunfels between the hours of 8:00pm and 9:30pm on Aug. 12, 2017. Additional charges may be filed. Call Detective Groff at 830-221-4167 or email rgroff@nbtexas.org if you have any information.