On December 27, 2023, a 42-year-old teacher from the Austin area, identified as James Austin Byrd, was apprehended following his attempt to contact a person he believed to be a fifteen-year-old girl through the Whisper chat platform. The arrest was made by the North Richland Hills Police Department Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Detectives, in collaboration with the Fort Worth Police Department and other local agencies during a joint operation.
The investigation unfolded as Mr. Byrd engaged in communication with an individual he believed to be a minor, ultimately agreeing to meet with her in North Richland Hills. Subsequently, he was taken into custody and charged with Online Solicitation of a Minor. The accused, James Austin Byrd, was identified as a teacher within the Bastrop Independent School District in the Austin area.