Bellville police arrest man accused of soliciting underage girls online

BELLVILLE, Texas (KBTX) - A man has been arrested after police say he used social media to contact underage girls and attempted to arrange sexual encounters with them.

According to the Bellville Police Department, officers began investigating the case in May after receiving information that a man was contacting underage females through social media applications.

Police say the investigation determined the suspect sent multiple messages to underage girls in an attempt to meet with them to engage in sexual acts.

After gathering evidence, investigators presented the case to the Austin County District Attorney’s Office on June 8, where arrest warrants were obtained.

At approximately 6:45 p.m., Bellville police officers located and arrested Anthony Phearse.

He has been charged with two counts of Online Solicitation of a Minor, a second-degree felony.

A social media post shared by Bellville PD did not say where Phearse lives.

The case remains under investigation.