Three illegal Salvadorans using dating app to meet teen girls nabbed in Houston sting operation: authorities

The Houston Police Department recently carried out a successful sting operation targeting three illegal migrants from El Salvador who were using a dating app to prey on underage girls. The suspects, Abner Ruiz, Erick Menjivar, and Carlos Gomez, were all arrested on charges of online solicitation of a minor after posing as teenagers on the dating app Jaumo.

Ruiz, 37, had previously been removed to El Salvador in 2020 but reentered the US illegally before being caught in the sting operation. Gomez, 33, attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle after realizing he was meeting with an undercover officer posing as a teenager. In his attempt to escape, Gomez crashed into a gate and injured a pedestrian, leading to additional charges of failure to stop and render aid. Menjivar, 30, had his immigration case dismissed in 2024 after being released into the country three days after being arrested near San Ysidro, Calif.

Jaumo, the dating app used by the suspects, prohibits children under the age of 18 from using the platform. Unlike other popular dating apps, Jaumo allows users to message each other without having to match first, making it easier for predators to target vulnerable individuals.

The successful sting operation highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to protect minors from online predators. The suspects, who are now being held on immigration detainer at the Harris County Jail, will face justice for their heinous actions. It is crucial for parents to monitor their children’s online activities and educate them about the dangers of interacting with strangers on the internet.