Latest news with #iWatchTexas
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man arrested after sexually assaulting his own son
STANTON, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- On May 21, 2025, a collaborative child pornography investigation between Homeland Security Investigations, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Martin County Sheriff's Office, and Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was initiated. During the investigation, the suspect, identified as Cobby Esser, admitted to sexually assaulting his child, who is under the age of 10, and uploading the video to the internet. The suspect was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and possession of child pornography. The suspect was jailed at the Martin County Detention Center. If you are a victim of human trafficking or have information about this type of criminal activity, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. Remember, you can also report suspicious behavior through the iWatch Texas program via the mobile app, online at or by calling 1-844-643-2251. All reports are confidential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
Two arrested in sex trafficking bust
MIDLAND/ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- The Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigations Division, the Odessa Police Department, and the Midland County Sheriff's Office arrested two suspects and rescued one victim, after a human trafficking investigation in the Permian Basin. On March 31, DPS, OPD, AND MSCO launched an investigation into a possible human trafficking ring, operating out of a hotel in the Midland/Odessa area. Multiple potential victims and one suspect were identified during the investigation. On April 4, officers with OPD were dispatched to IH-20 and Grandview Avenue, after receiving reports of a disturbance in a vehicle that had been identified in the investigation. When the vehicle began moving, MCSO quickly located the vehicle and responded, along with DPS Special Agents near IH-20 and Rankin Highway. At the scene, Damante Baty, 33, was arrested for driving with an invalid license and trafficking of persons, a second-degree felony. Talisha Hale, 26, was arrested for public intoxication and possession of a controlled substance, a third-degree felony. The victim in this case was rescued and is receiving help from victim services. If you are a victim of human trafficking or have information about this type of crime, please contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888. You can also report suspicious behavior through the iWatch Texas program via the mobile app, online at , or by calling 1-844-643-2251. Remember, all reports are confidential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Lubbock man arrested after making school shooting threats online
Mar. 20—AUSTIN — The man responsible for a series of online school shooting threats is behind bars thanks to a report submitted to the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) iWatchTexas program. Stephen Patrick Furr, 29, was arrested and charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Lubbock on Feb. 3, a DPS news release said. "This is exactly what the iWatchTexas program was designed to do: help Texans quickly alert law enforcement of mass attacks or targeted violence," DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin said in the release. "By reporting something suspicious, lives were saved. It's an important reminder of the role we all play in protecting each other by remaining vigilant and speaking up if we see something strange or suspicious." According to the release, in the early morning hours of Feb. 3, the Texas Fusion Center (TXFC) received an iWatchTexas report from a community member indicating school shooting threats posted by another user on social media. Posts by this user included musings about a possible future school shooting then escalated to statements that the user had a gun and intended to carry out the shooting. Upon receiving the information, TXFC immediately began investigating the threats and quickly identified the user as Furr. Hours later, he was arrested and charged via federal criminal complaint with interstate threatening communications. More information about this case can be found on the U.S. Attorney's Office — Northern District of Texas website, here. Texas Fusion Center Serving as the state repository for homeland security information and incident reports, the TXFC is a 24/7 team comprised of multiple local, state and federal law enforcement agencies working together to provide real-time intelligence and data on suspicious activities and threats to the public. iWatchTexas Program The iWatchTexas program allows Texans to report any suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate criminal, terroristic or school safety-related threats. Last year, the program received a record number of school safety-related reports in September 2024 — more than double previous years. During that month, the program recorded a total of 204 school safety-related reports, with a majority involving concerning behaviors such as threats or the possibility of planned attacks centered around school campuses. The public can report those behaviors via the mobile app, online at or by calling 1-844-643-2251. A report usually takes less than five minutes, and once submitted, each report is reviewed by law enforcement analysts. All reports are confidential (providing contact information, which is optional, will allow for follow-up questions). Oftentimes, preparations for crimes, terrorist attacks and threats to school safety may be seen by someone but not reported. When in doubt, DPS encourages everyone to speak up. Here are some examples of behaviors and activities to report: — Comments made regarding killing or harming someone. — Strangers asking questions about building security features and procedures. — A social media post about a possible school attack. — People requesting sensitive information, such as blueprints, security plans or VIP travel schedules, without a need to know. — Purchasing supplies that could be used to make bombs or weapons or purchasing uniforms without having the proper credentials. — Taking photographs or videos of security features, such as cameras or checkpoints. The iWatchTexas app is available for free on iPhone and Android. Texans are urged to download the app now. Note: The iWatchTexas program is not designed to report emergencies. If a situation requires an emergency response, call 911.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Abbott, DPS launch community reporting system
AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched the iWatchTexas community reporting system to 'protect the public from coercion and harassment by foreign adversaries', according to a news release. DPS said the feature will allow individuals to indicate their concern is related to foreign influence when submitting a report. 'Texas' No. 1 priority is to protect the safety and security of Texans,' said Abbott. 'Last year, I directed DPS to update iWatchTexas to allow Texans to directly report any harassment or coercion from hostile foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party. This new iWatchTexas feature will allow Texans to report any threats from hostile foreign adversaries who wish to undermine the public safety and national security of Texas.' DPS said foreign influence threats may include assassination, assault, physical surveillance, harassment, abduction, familial intimidation, digital threats, passport revocation, consular services denial, unlawful detention and deportation, forced rendition and repatriation and INTERPOL abuse. The news release said all iWatchTexas reports that indicate possible foreign influence will automatically be routed to DPS for further vetting. 'This new feature helps the department quickly address a wider range of homeland security threats facing our state, making us safer,' said DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin. 'It's important to remember the feature is only good if we use it. So, remember to speak up if you see suspicious behavior or activity—including any signs of intimidation or pressure from a hostile government outside of the United States. This all adds up to addressing security threats both at home and abroad.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DPS launches new iWatchTexas feature
Mar. 18—AUSTIN — At the direction of Governor Greg Abbott, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) launched a new feature on the iWatchTexas Community Reporting System to protect the public from coercion and harassment by foreign adversaries. The new feature allows individuals to indicate their concern is related to foreign influence when submitting a report. "Texas' No. 1 priority is to protect the safety and security of Texans," said Governor Abbott. "Last year, I directed DPS to update iWatchTexas to allow Texans to directly report any harassment or coercion from hostile foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party. This new iWatchTexas feature will allow Texans to report any threats from hostile foreign adversaries who wish to undermine the public safety and national security of Texas. I encourage anyone who experiences or observes harassment, threats of violence or coercion to report the attempts directly to the iWatchTexas app or call 844-643-2251. Texas will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party and other hostile foreign actors." Foreign influence threats may include assassination, assault, physical surveillance, harassment, abduction, familial intimidation, digital threats, passport revocation, consular services denial, unlawful detention and deportation, forced rendition and repatriation and INTERPOL abuses. All iWatchTexas reports indicating possible foreign influence will automatically be routed to DPS for further vetting, a news release said. "This new feature helps the department quickly address a wider range of homeland security threats facing our state, making us safer," DPS Colonel Freeman F. Martin said in the relase. "It's important to remember the feature is only good if we use it. So, remember to speak up if you see suspicious behavior or activity—including any signs of intimidation or pressure from a hostile government outside of the United States. This all adds up to addressing security threats both at home and abroad." The iWatchTexas Community Reporting System is a critical resource for the public to report any suspicious activities or behaviors in their schools and communities that may indicate criminal, terroristic or school safety-related threats. The public can report those behaviors via the mobile app, online at or by calling 1-844-643-2251. A report usually takes less than five minutes, and once submitted, each report is reviewed by law enforcement analysts. All reports are confidential (providing contact information, which is optional, will allow for follow-up questions). The iWatchTexas app is free and available for iPhone and Android. Texans are urged to download the app immediately. Note: The iWatchTexas program is not designed to report emergencies. If a situation requires an emergency response, call 911.
