Air Force chaplain arrested by San Antonio police in online sex sting

Maj. Jesse Howard charged with online solicitation of a minor

Air Force Maj. Jesse Howard is charged with online solicitation of a minor. (KSAT)

An Air Force chaplain stationed at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland was arrested Thursday by San Antonio police during an investigation into online predators.

Maj. Jesse McKee Howard, 41, is the chaplain for the 433rd Airlift Wing, an Air Force reserve unit made up of roughly 3,400 service members stationed at JBSA-Lackland. A spokesperson for the reserve unit confirmed Howard’s arrest and noted he was on active duty at the time of his arrest.

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According to San Antonio police, Howard was arrested Thursday afternoon in the 6200 block of State Highway 151.

“A detective had been investigating online predators,” according to the police department’s preliminary information. “The investigation led to the booking of (Howard) for the listed offense. The arrest was made without incident.”

Police did not provide more specific information about what led to Howard’s arrest, and the 433rd Airlift Wing spokesperson said officials were working on gathering more information about the allegation.

Bexar County Jail records showed Howard posted his $30,000 bail and was released from jail on Thursday night.

Online solicitation of a minor is a second-degree felony, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.


About the Authors
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Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.

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