A man who has worked with at-risk children for years is now behind bars, facing four counts of child pornography possession.

John Mason, 53, was employed with Montgomery County Youth Services. Police said the charges against him are alarming, and investigators are looking into what type of contact he had with kids.

Mason’s arrest comes after a two-year long national investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

On Thursday, authorities asked Conroe police to get involved. Investigators raided Mason’s second-story unit at the Treehouse Apartments on Wilson Road.

Police said evidence was taken from the apartment, but they would not elaborate on exactly what investigators found.

The accusations have neighbors taking a second look at who they trust around their kids.
“He worked 15 years for that company with youth kids. Come on, you’re trying help those kids out there that have problems and not try to do what he was doing,” said neighbor Jessica Vargas.
Vargas has a 7-year-old son and said Mason’s arrest is an eye opener.

Mason’s downstairs neighbor said he lived alone and kept to himself.

“I have a goddaughter. That makes me concerned, especially if he lives that close to me,” said neighbor Joe Jaso. “It’s just really creepy.”

Montgomery County Youth Services would not go on camera to discuss the accusations. Executive director John Bracken sent the following statement:

“We are cooperating with the Conroe Police Department in their investigation following the arrest today of one of our staffers on charges of possession of child pornography. Employee confidentiality policies limit what I can add, but I can tell you the person has been dismissed from his position with our organization. As this is a matter for law enforcement, that is all the information I can share at this time.”