Men charged with online solicitation of minor in Bowie County sting

TEXARKANA, Texas–Two men were charged Friday in Bowie County with online solicitation of a minor after allegedly arranging to meet law enforcement officers posing as teen girls in an undercover online sting operation.

Christopher Buendia, 42, is being held in the Bowie County jail with a total bail of $512,000, court records show. In addition to online solicitation, he is facing misdemeanor charges of failure to identify and resisting arrest. Buendia also has several outside agency holds, jail records show.

Romello Montel Harper, 27, is being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $200,000 on a single charge of online solicitation.

A group of law enforcement agencies coordinated to conduct the operation, including the Texarkana Texas Police Department, FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety, according to court records.

Buendia allegedly responded to an ad on Craigslist from an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl, according to a probable cause affidavit. The ad was titled “babysitting” and explained the girl was hoping to earn extra cash.

Buendia allegedly received the response, “almost 16,” after asking for the girl’s age. Buendia allegedly sent the undercover officer an email expressing a desire to meet, despite knowing the ad depicted a minor, the affidavit said.

Buendia allegedly sent photos of his erect penis and offered to pay $250 to the undercover officer on Oct. 9 in exchange for sex with a teen girl, the affidavit said. Jail records show Buendia was arrested the same day at a residence on College Drive in Texarkana, Texas.

Harper allegedly made contact with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl on “a website known for prostitution,” according to a probable cause affidavit.

Harper allegedly offered to pay $80 and provide marijuana on Oct. 8 in exchange for a “QV,” slang for “quick visit,” the affidavit said. Harper was arrested the same day.

The men face 2 to 20 years in prison if convicted of online solicitation of a minor. They could also be required to register as a sex offender.

Harper’s case has been assigned to 102nd District Judge Jeff Addison. Buendia’s case has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.