SAN ANTONIO — An Air Force chaplain stationed in San Antonio was arrested as part of a sexual predators sting, authorities said.
Maj. Jesse McKee Howard, 41, was arrested Thursday afternoon and was charged with online solicitation of a minor, WOAI reported.
“A detective had been investigating online predators,” according to a preliminary report by the San Antonio Police Department, KSAT reported. “The investigation led to the booking of (Howard) for the listed offense. The arrest was made without incident.”
Air Force officials confirmed that Howard was a chaplain with the 433rd Airlift Wing, an Air Force Reserve unit stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, KSAT reported. A spokesperson for the reserve unit confirmed Howard’s arrest, adding he was on active duty when he was taken into custody, the television station reported.
Police did not provide more specific information about what led to Howard’s arrest, the television station reported.
Howard posted $30,000 bail and was released from jail Thursday night, WOAI reported. He is due back in court on Dec. 15, the television station reported.
If convicted, Howard could face up to 20 years in prison.