Aledo Man Accused of Soliciting 15-Year-Old Girl on Discord, Receiving Nude Images

ALEDO, Texas - A 43-year-old Parker County man is facing two felony charges after investigators say he exchanged sexually explicit messages with a 15-year-old girl through Discord and received nude images of the child.

Jerrod Michael Roper was arrested Sept. 23 after Parker County Sheriff's Office investigators executed arrest and search warrants at his residence in eastern Parker County. His bonds were set at a combined $1 million by 43rd District Court Judge Craig Towson.

The investigation originated more than 250 miles away in Seabrook, southeast of Houston.

According to Parker County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Shane Cartwright, Seabrook police were investigating a case involving the same 15-year-old girl on Aug. 14 when detectives discovered evidence indicating another person involved in the case could be living in Parker County.

Parker County investigators received police reports and supporting evidence from Seabrook police on Sept. 8. Investigators identified Roper as the person they believed had been communicating with the girl through Discord, an internet-based messaging platform.

The messages Roper sent to the girl were sexually explicit, investigators said. Authorities also determined that Roper had received nude images of the 15-year-old on at least one occasion.

Investigators obtained an arrest warrant for Roper and a search warrant for his home. Both were executed Sept. 23.

During the search, investigators seized multiple electronic devices that will undergo forensic examination.

The Sheriff's Office said Roper admitted during questioning that he had communicated in a sexually explicit manner with a girl he believed was younger than 18.

Roper was arrested on charges of sexual performance by a child and online solicitation of a minor, both second-degree felonies. He was booked into the Parker County Jail without incident.

The investigation remains active as authorities conduct forensic examinations of the electronic devices seized from Roper's residence.