Dude Arrested for Inappropriate Relationship with a Minor He Met on Instagram

SAN ANGELO— A San Angelo man has been arrested for allegedly having sex in his car with a minor girl he met on Instagram.

According to court documents, Carlos Luis Rangel, 20, was arrested for Aggravated Sexual assault of a Child. On July 2, 2023, a Texas Highway Patrol Trooper had notified the investigator on this incident that a crash had occurred on private property. The crash was between a Ford Mustang and GMC pick-up and learned that Rangel was on the property without the owner’s consent and was attempting to meet with the child victim.

On July 5, 2023, the investigator corroborated Rangel’s name and determined it was the same individual who was currently under investigation for downloading and possessing suspected child pornography. This investigation was initiated by a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

On July 6, 2023, an officer met with a family member of the child victim where the investigator personally observed electronic communication between the victim and an account believed to belong to Rangel on Instagram. Photographs of a Ford Mustang were provided that were of the vehicle driven by Rangel.

Then, on July 7, 2023, the Department of Public Safety conducted a consensual interview with the child victim, who identified Rangel by name. The victim informed the special agent that Rangel had reached out on Instagram and that she had no prior contact with Rangel.

The child victim informed Rangel of her age at the beginning of the conversation before the sexual assault took place. During the interview, the child victim said she had “sexual intercourse” several times Rangel and every time it occurred inside his silver Ford Mustang. The victim stated the sexual assaults occurred over a period from June 26, 2023, though June 30, 2023.

Rangel was arrested and charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child on July 11, 2023, and was released on July, 12, 2023, on $125,000 bond.