Bus Driver Arrested for Having More Than 100,000 Lewd Images of Children

ODESSA, TX -- An Ector ISD school bus driver was arrested today for having a large amount of child pornography. 

According to ICE, on June 26 the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and The Texas Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant at the residence of 45-year-old Reid Derrick Witcher.

Once inside authorities found 100,000 lewd images of children downloaded on an electronic device that he had been viewing for more than 10 years. Along with the electronic pictures, they also seized 125 photos of child pornography. 

“Innocent children who are sexually exploited physically or through disseminated child pornography may suffer irreparable trauma,” said Jack P. Staton, special agent in charge of HSI El Paso. “Under our ongoing Operation Predator program, our HSI special agents continue to work jointly with our law enforcement partners to rescue victimized children, and aggressively target child predators for their heinous crimes.”

Witcher is charged with possession of child pornography and is currently in ICE custody. 

This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 19,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child exploitation material, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2018, more than 3,000 child predators were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 850 victims were identified or rescued.

HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.