Media Relation Information for May 8, 2025
Public Relations Officer – Asst. Chief Bennie Boles
Office: 281-842-3114
Investigation Leads to Arrest of La Porte Man for Child Sex Crimes
Suspect: Enrique “Ricky” Vela
W/M DOB 07/03/1984
Arrested on February 26, 2025
On February 26, 2025, the Criminal Investigations Division of the La Porte Police Department initiated an investigation related to files found on the cellular phones of 40-year-old La Porte resident Enrigue “Ricky” Vela. While being questioned for an unrelated robbery investigation, Vela allowed investigators to forensically search one of his cell phones for potential evidence related to the robbery.
Investigators found video files saved on that device which depicted child pornography. A search warrant was obtained for both of Vela’s phones to be forensically examined in greater detail. Results of the forensic examination of both of Vela’s phones yielded several video files of Vela sexually assaulting several local underaged male children. Investigators were able to identify four (4) local children in those videos whose ages ranged from 13 to 16 years of age. Upon completing the investigation, the Harris County District Attorney’s Human Trafficking and Crimes against Children’s Bureau was contacted and charges were accepted for a multitude of felonious crimes.
Enrique “Ricky” Vela has been charged with one (1) count of Continuous Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, one (1) count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, three (3) counts of Sexual Performance by a Child, and three (3) counts of Possession / Promotion or Production of Child Pornography. The total of eight ( 8 ) First Degree Felony charges carries a potential sentence of more than 85 years if convicted. Additional charges against Vela in this investigation are pending.
