Recently flyers began showing up on social media and scattered around El Paso offering rides with a trucker to young boys over winter break. The local FBI office immediately took interest in this and began an investigation through their Violent Crimes against Children Task Force.
On Friday, December 6th, officers announced the arrest of 57 year old Travis Wayne Vavra of Anthony, Texas on charges of interstate transportation of minors with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to reports, Vavra had posted similar fliers in 2015 "advertising free trips across the country for children."
KVIA reports that the federal criminal complaint accuses Vavra of transporting a child from Texas to states "throughout the Southwest and Midwest with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity” over the last five years.
The FBI is seeking assistance from the public to identify other potential victims. They are asking anyone with information to contact the bureau's El Paso field office at 915-832-5000.
Yesterday, Vavra made his first appearance in federal court, and he is due back in court on Thursday for a preliminary and detention hearing. He is being held without bond at the El Paso County Jail in Downtown. If convicted he faces between 10 year and life in prison.
Luis M. Quesada, special agent in charge of the FBI El Paso Division said, "People that prey upon the innocence of our children will be held accountable for their actions."