A group of 10 individuals suspected of being in the United States illegally have been arrested at a house in Baytown for possession of child pornography.
An investigative update by the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office explains that police executed an evidentiary search warrant of the residence—roughly 33 miles east of Downtown Houston—after the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force uncovered information revealing that images and videos of child pornography had been downloaded at that location.
Officers forcefully entered the house after the occupants refused to open the door. Once they were inside, police discovered a group of 10 people they suspected to be in the country illegally.
Following assistance from the Department of Homeland Security, all individuals were arrested and transported to the Chambers County Jail. According to the sheriff’s office, some of the individuals are believed to be of Asian descent whereas others were reportedly from Guatemala.
“This is an ongoing investigation looking into possible human trafficking and/or human smuggling as well as other possible crimes,” the office posted Thursday on Facebook.
A Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson told Fox News Digital that “On April 11, Homeland Security Investigations Houston assisted our state and local partners with a law enforcement action related to an ongoing child exploitation investigation.”
“During the course of the enforcement action and based on the individuals encountered, the structure was additionally determined to be a stash house for human smuggling activities,” the spokesperson continued.
It is currently unclear what charges the 10 detainees will face.
Texas Scorecard reached out to the Chambers County Sheriff’s Office for an update but has not received a response at the time of publishing.
