Executive Summary
- Anson City Manager Ervin Joe Campbell was arrested by DHS on federal charges of attempted enticement of a minor.
- The arrest followed a joint undercover operation involving HSI, Texas DPS, and local police.
- Court documents allege Campbell negotiated a sexual encounter for $200 believing he was communicating with a minor.
- Evidence seized at the scene reportedly included cash, condoms, and cell phones containing the chat logs.
ANSON, Texas — Anson City Manager Ervin Joe Campbell was arrested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on February 25 facing a federal charge of attempted enticement of a minor, following a coordinated multi-agency undercover investigation.
According to court documents filed in the United States District Court, the operation was executed jointly by the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Abilene Police Department, and the Texas Attorney General’s Office. The task force utilized an undercover Facebook Marketplace account disguised as a massage service to target individuals soliciting illicit acts from minors.
Federal investigators allege that Campbell contacted the undercover account, which was operated by agents posing as 15- and 16-year-old minors. The affidavit states that during the digital correspondence, Campbell inquired about pricing and explicitly agreed to pay $200 for a sexual encounter, acknowledging the represented age of the individuals involved.
The court filings detail that Campbell arranged to meet at a predetermined location in Abilene. Agents monitoring the site observed a white Chevrolet registered to Campbell arrive at the agreed-upon time. Upon confirming his identity, authorities took him into custody in the parking lot.
A subsequent search of Campbell and his vehicle allegedly revealed physical evidence, including two condoms and $652 in cash. Investigators also recovered two unlocked cell phones in the vehicle; one displayed a text message thread with the undercover contact, corroborating the digital trail utilized in the sting operation.
Legal Procedures and Official Conduct
The arrest of a municipal executive by federal agents highlights the operational scope of joint task forces dedicated to combating online exploitation. As this case moves into the federal judicial system, the proceedings will likely focus on the admissibility of the digital forensic evidence gathered during the sting. Campbell’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 3, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Abilene.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
