Joint investigations leads to arrest of area sex offender

The Falls County District Attorney’s Office pulled off a feat that led to the apprehension of a registered sex offender on Thursday, Aug. 13. 

The office had been working with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Criminal Investigations Division for weeks to uncover that an unregistered social media account belonged to one Richard Aguillon, of Rosebud. 

He initially became a person of interest to investigators when a case involving an allegation from a young girl that he had touched her inappropriately crossed the desk of Falls County DA Jody Gilliam, according to a press release.

The social media account, which should have been disclosed as a part of his annual sex offender registration, was found by an investigator.

Special Crimes Investigator Amber Howell had been masquerading as a 13-year-old girl from Marlin for weeks, while chatting with the 53-year-old man. After accepting the friend request, Aguillon immediately launched into conversing with her over private messages. 

During the weeks long investigation, Aguillon requested photographs and eventually a meeting.

He was stupefied to find DPS Agents on site when he arrived over an hour early to the 9 a.m. meeting at the Old Veterans Affairs building in Marlin, reports recount.

“Investigator Howell did an outstanding job in catching a dangerous predator, and we greatly appreciated the help from DPS,” Gilliam said.

Aguillon was taken to the Falls County Jail, where he remains on a $200,000 bond.