Man accused of trying to lure 7-year-old boy from playground for sex act

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- A man has been arrested, accused of offering a child at a playground candy to come to his apartment and perform a sex act.

Thomas Keck, 40, has been charged with enticing a child with the intent to commit a felony.

Deputies with Constable Mark Herman's Office say Keck went up to a 7-year-old boy on a playground in the 14100 block of Champion Drive on Saturday. Keck allegedly offered the child candy if he would come to his apartment.

He then reportedly showed the boy a sexually explicit photo on his phone and asked if the child wanted to perform the act in the photo.

The boy's mother spoke to Eyewitness News about the incident.

"When he showed him, he didn't say nothing because he don't know what was in the picture," Maria Idrees said. "But he told him, 'okay, do you want me to do this?' He was quiet and he said, 'okay,' I can do this today or later on."

The child refused and ran away.

Idrees said after leaving the park she talked to her son. It was a conversation she said she would never forget.

"I asked him and he stopped for a moment, and he paused, and he started shivering," Idrees said.

Keck was arrested and booked in the Harris County jail. His bond was set at $25,000.

He appeared in court Sunday.

Prosecutors said he admitted to deputies he spoke to the boy and showed him the photo the child described.

Constable Mark Herman said they seized Keck's electronics.

"We don't want to comment on that right now," Herman said. "I can tell you they're being scrutinized and being looked through."

Herman said they are asking neighbors to come forward if they've had any similar experience with Keck.

"We want to get this guys face out that being that he's been charged, and anyone in that complex or area that has had dealing with this individual we certainly want to hear from you," Herman said.