Court records show that Geovanni Severin pleaded not guilty in a trial before the court on January 4th. According to the Tom Green County District Attorney's Office, on December 21, 2016, the Texas Department of Public Safety's Criminal Investigations Division and the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office conducted an undercover operation. That operation targeted child sexual predators using the internet to find underage victims.
During that operation, Severin responded to an add on craigslist. The Tom Green County District Attorney's Office says, in Severin's online conversations with an undercover agent posing as a 13-year-old girl, Severin described his sexual intentions to the “girl.” He also arrived at a set location to meet with the “girl” with plans to engage in sexual conduct.
On January 5th, Judge Jay Weatherby found Severin guilty and sentenced him to 10 years in prison.
In a statement, the 51st District Attorney said “The Judge sent a strong message to the community that this behavior will not be tolerated in Tom Green County. We want to comment the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division and the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office for the investigative efforts. We also want to comment the assistance from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations at Goodfellow Air Force Base. The District Attorney's Office is committed to working closely with all of our law-enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute individuals who knowingly participate in crimes against children.”
Online Solicitation of a Minor is a 2nd degree felony with a punishment of 2 to 20 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
