Investigators say the father of a teenage boy called them after finding a nude picture of Aaron Polanco and a picture of the boy without clothes in his son's email. Polanco is charged with promoting child pornography. He and his then-wife, Crystal, are also accused of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
"I firmly believe that Aaron and Crystal Polanco are child predators," said Sgt J.D. Philpot with the Harris County Sheriff's Office. "They had knowledge he was 13 years old at the time. They knew exactly what they were doing."
The Harris County Sheriff's Office says the Polancos owned a TV repair shop called 'TV Cents,' and the boy's father owns another business not far away.
He and Aaron Polanco became friends. We're told the Polcanos allegedly gave the teen alcohol and then sexually assaulted him at the business.
The encounters happened repeatedly over more than three years, both at the business and at the Polanco home. At some point, investigators say the teen was given a key to the Polanco home, that he then took his 15-year-old girlfriend there. When Aaron Polanco came home, we're told he allegedly sexually assaulted her.
"It is my believe that Aaron Polanco groomed this child with the hopes of at some point taking advantage of his future girlfriends," said Philpot.
At TV Cents on Monday, a man identified himself as Crystal Polanco's father. Before walking away, he told us he hasn't had contact with her or Aaron Polanco in weeks.
Those operating businesses nearby had no clue any of this was happening.
"That's definitely shocking," said Wendy Snead, who owns a business nearby. "I guess if we see them, we should call the sheriff's office."
Investigators say the Polancos have told them they're swingers. After executing a search warrant both at the Polancos' business and home, hundreds of photos of adult porn and sex photos were found.
At this point, we don't believe there are any additional victims. The Polancos are believed to be either in Houston or Mexico.
Aaron Polanco is wanted on six charges, including promoting child pornography and aggravated sexual assault of a child. Crystal Polanco is wanted on three charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5000 for any information called in to the 713-222-8477 tips hotline or submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org that leads to the arrest of Aaron or Crystal Polanco. Tips can also be sent by text message - Text TIP610 plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). All tipsters remain anonymous.
