‘Violent crimes against children’: Anthony trucker arrested by FBI for allegedly soliciting boys for sex
EL PASO, Texas -- A 57-year-old Texas truck driver made an initial appearance in federal court Monday afternoon following his arrest by the FBI in what agents called a "violent crimes against children" investigation.
Travis Wayne Vavra of Anthony is charged with interstate transportation of minors with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.
According to the federal criminal complaint, Vavra is accused over the past five years of taking a child from Texas on trips to states throughout the Southwest and Midwest for sex.
The FBI contends that Vavra allegedly posted fliers in 2015 advertising free trips across the country for boys, and that a similar flyer once again appeared on social media over this past weekend.
An FBI task force is seeking the public’s help in identifying other potential victims. Agents asked anyone with information to contact the bureau's El Paso field office at 915-832-5000.
Vavra faces between ten years to life in federal prison if convicted. He is scheduled to be back in court on Thursday for a preliminary and detention hearing before a federal judge.
