A former North Texas law enforcement officer will spend the rest of his life in state prison after a jury convicted him of multiple child sex crimes.
The Johnson and Somervell County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Daniel Joseph Bates was convicted of online solicitation of a minor and possession of child pornography. A jury found him guilty on all counts.
Bates received three consecutive life sentences for the child pornography convictions. The judge also ordered him to serve a concurrent 40-year prison sentence for soliciting a minor.
The case against Bates began during an online undercover sting operation. Authorities said Bates communicated over the internet with someone he believed was a 15-year-old girl and made plans to meet her for sexual activity.
However, the account was actually run by a civilian predator catcher group. The group turned his communications over to local law enforcement and the Texas Rangers. The Texas Rangers subsequently took Bates into custody.
At the time of his arrest, Bates was employed by the Itasca Police Department and worked in highway construction security.
Following his arrest, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at his residence. Examiners recovered digital devices containing evidence of his attempts to meet a teenager for sex. Investigators also uncovered nearly 300 photos and videos depicting child sexual abuse and child pornography.
During his trial, Bates attempted to explain the materials on his devices by claiming he was conducting a “secret police investigation” aimed at catching human traffickers. However, prosecutors noted he provided no proof to show any such investigation existed.
District Attorney Timothy M. Good condemned Bates’ actions following the verdict.
”The images and videos that had to be processed and presented to the jury are indescribable in the level of depravity they depict and the degree of deviance of the defendant who voluntarily possessed and viewed those types of images,” Good said. “Daniel Bates disgraced his badge and violated his oath and became the monster that he was sworn to protect the community from.”
Assistant District Attorney Christy May noted that the verdict ensures the former officer will remain behind bars for the rest of his life.
”The badge was supposed to be a shield for children—not a shield for a predator,” May said. “He made his choices. The jury made its verdict. And the judge made sure his next choice will be made from a prison cell for the rest of his life.”
