Man arrested yesterday for online solicitation and sexual assault of a child.
APD Crimes Against Persons detectives began investigating this case in early December, when an adult reported discovering text messages on the juvenile victim’s cell phone. These messages disclosed sexual contact involving an adult male. Detectives were able to identify and locate the adult involved. On 12-17-14, the 47th District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and accepted a complaint of sexual assault of a child under cause number 69823-Z against Terry Michael Burger WM 35 of Amarillo. Detectives were also, by this time, conducting a second investigation into the suspect’s activities. That investigation was linked to another adult’s discovery of social media based messages between a juvenile male and Burger. In that case, evidence indicated that the same suspect was soliciting a juvenile to engage in sex acts. Yesterday, APD CAP investigators posing as the juvenile agreed to meet the suspect in person at 7701 W. IH-40, Westgate Mall. Detectives set up surveillance inside the mall, near the food court, for the suspect. At about 3:05 PM, detectives confirmed that the suspect was there and was texting the juvenile to attempt to complete the meeting. The suspect was arrested for the on the on-view offense of online solicitation and for the outstanding warrant. Terry Michael Burger was transported to the Potter County Correctional Center and booked on the two second degree felony charges.
Lt. Elizabeth Brown, of the APD Crimes Against Persons Unit said, “This suspect gained access to other juveniles by “friending” a person’s friends. He then would “friend” those people’s friends, etc. Ideally, children should always personally know who they are allowing access to their private information and photos.”
Both cases were reported by an adult who looked at cell phone content. In one case, this allowed the police time to make an arrest and prevent the juvenile’s personal contact with the suspect. In Texas, a second degree felony carries a penalty of two to twenty years imprisonment and a fine of up to $10,000.
Address/Location
Amarillo Police Department
200 SE 3rd Ave
Amarillo, TX 79101
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 806-378-4257
Sgt. Brent Barbee
Crime Prevention Unit
[email protected]
806-378-4257