December 20, 2023 – Another arrest has been made stemming from the sting operation held back in November of this year. That joint operation combined the efforts of Texas DPS, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Pleasant Police Department, and Federal Bureau of Investigation all participating in a two-day undercover online operation. These agencies brought resources, knowledge, and manpower to actively pursue individuals online, who are seeking to engage in sexual acts with children. The involved agencies’ operation yielded three immediate arrests during the first week of November 2023, and Sheriff Lewis Tatum reported that several “ongoing investigations” were still in the works. During the original investigation Tatum said, “We want parents to know that we are working to keep kids safe. We also want to encourage them to monitor what their children do online.” View the original story by clicking on the following link: Hopkins County Sheriff Solicitation Sting Yields Arrests
One of those ongoing investigations proved to involve Darryl Wayne Wilkins, age 42, of Longview as he was picked up in Gregg County this week and transported back to the Hopkins County Jail. Wilkins is accussed of Online Solicitation of a Minor (Sexual Contact) which is a second-degree felony. His bond has been set at $100,000 on that charge. Hopkins County Sheriff Criminal Investigation Commander Corley Weatherford said “these agencies have worked diligently to protect our children by taking these predators off our streets.” Weatherford added, “and we continue to work these cases for as long as it takes.”
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The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
