Man Arrested For Soliciting Child Sex Was Texas Boy Scout Leader
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NORTH TEXAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - The Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America confirmed Tuesday that a local adult troop leader is the same man currently facing charges of seeking sex with a child.
Ray Howland of Arlington was arrested by authorities near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Officials with the Attorney General Child Predator Unit accuse the 55-year-old of seeking sex with a woman and her 10-year old-daughter. Officials maintain Howland was actually communicating with an undercover operative.
John Coyle, an executive with the Longhorn Council of the BSA issued a statement that said, in part:
"The behavior included in these allegations is abhorrent, unacceptable, and runs counter to everything for which the Boy Scouts of America stands. At this time, while these allegations appear to be unrelated to Scouting, we have removed this individual from Scouting and precluded him from any further participation in the program."
Howland was a leader with Troop 421, a Boy Scout affiliate tied to Grace Presbyterian Church in Arlington. He led a co-ed program for teens called Venture Crew.
Police in Arlington say they do not have any criminal history on Howland who works as a manager for American Airlines. Neighbor Everette Lodics recalled Howland's Boy Scout work, and said he is "shocked" to hear about the criminal charges he faces.
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