Tyler Man Arrested for Child Exploitation Videos After Online Sting

(Tyler, Texas) A Tyler man was arrested earlier this month after an online predator organization caught him in possession of child pornography, who then brought that information to East Texas law enforcement.

Details on the Tyler Man with Child Pornography

According to CBS 19, 30-year-old Joel Gaona was arrested on July 2nd for possession of child pornography – promotes or knowingly possessing child pornography depicting 10 to less than 50 items. His bond was set at $1 million dollars, and according to jail records he is still in custody.

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How Was Gaona Caught by the Online Predator Organization?

Smith County deputies were called to a house on Gallion Circle in Tyler after the organization called EDP said that one of its members used a decoy to find a possible child predator online who was trying to meet up with a 12-year-old girl.

One of the group members began chatting with Gaona and he was going to meet what was supposed to be the young girl at a location, but he never showed up. That is when the organization went to his house and that is when he admitted to having child pornography on his phone.

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Law Enforcement Got Involved Quickly

Smith County law enforcement was dispatched and Gaona again admitted to having child porn on his phone, he admitted to watching and trading the videos. Detectives found more than 20 videos and photos of children of different ages being assaulted during the investigation.

We will continue to update you on this case as things develop.