Two Suspects Arrested During Online Sting

ABILENE, TX —Two Abilene men have been indicted after they allegedly tried to solicit underage girls for sex.

According to KTXS, the suspects, identified as 26-year-old Rufus Dwayne Smith and 20-year-old James Rufus Powell, Jr., were caught during an online sting conducted on March 13.

According to court documents, Smith believed he was talking to a 13-year-old on Snapchat. The account was being monitored by an undercover officer.

According to police, Smith claimed to be `9 years old and asked the girl to send him a nude image. He then allegedly asked if she wanted to “do it.”

After making plans to meet, police arrested Smith when he showed up. He was released on April 17 after posting a $45,000.

The same day Powell contacted someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl on Skout. The conversation then moved onto to regular texting and by the second test Powell explicitly asked the girl for sex.

The undercover officer who managed the Skout told Powell she was only 15 and was not able to drive. Powell then offered to pick her up and requested a sexy picture.

After Powell made plans to meet with the teen at the Indian Run Apartments, he was arrested when he showed up to the complex.

He was released on April 16 after posting a $33,000 bond.

Both suspects were indicted for online solicitation of a minor by a Taylor County grand jury.