FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Collin County Sheriff's Office Highlights Operation Silent Shield Ahead of Halloween

[Collin County, Texas] - October 31, 2025 - As Halloween approaches, the Collin County Sheriff's Office is reminding families that child safety remains a top priority. Through the month of October, multiple divisions within the Sheriff's Office, including the Child Exploitation Unit (CEU), Crimes Against Children (CAC), Criminal Investigations Division Sex Offender Registration Unit, and Patrol Division, have been working together to safeguard children participating in fall and Halloween events.

Under the coordinated effort dubbed Operation Silent Shield, deputies and investigators have made nine arrests to date, with additional work expected to continue through Halloween. These efforts include the ongoing home verifications of the county's 216 registered sex offenders to ensure compliance and community safety.

Most notably, investigators led or assisted in the rescue of two children in separate incidents during the operation:

• Sergio Garcia - Picked up a 15-year-old child in Oklahoma and brought her to his home in Anna. Anna Police, acting on a tip, located the child at Garcia's residence. It was discovered that Garcia was a registered sex offender who failed to register with the Anna Police. As such, a warrant for failure to register was obtained. Collin County Crimes Against Children Investigators charged Garcia with kidnapping.
• Chester Driskell - Picked up a 15-year-old after online communication through digital means. In a combined effort with multiple agencies, CAC Investigators were able to locate the child at Driskell's residence in Paris, Texas. Driskell was arrested for harboring a runaway, and additional charges are expected as this remains an ongoing investigation.

Additional arrests included:

• Ashton Smith - Acting on a tip, the CEU conducted a search warrant at Smith's home, where they located numerous files constituting Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Smith was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography.
• Amrit Singh - Acting on a tip, the CEU conducted a search warrant at Singh's home, where he was found to be in possession of child pornography. Singh was arrested for Possession of Child Pornography.
• Terryon Clincy - Acting on a tip, CEU investigators learned that Clincy was digitally extorting a juvenile in order to obtain images of other children under the age of 10. The CEU investigation led to a search of Clincy's home where additional evidence was discovered, resulting in Clincy being charged with Sexual Performance of a Child.
• Jeremy Elow - During the course of an unrelated investigation, it was learned that Elow, a registered sex offender, had not notified law enforcement of his change of address and had last registered with Lancaster in October of 2024. Elow was arrested for Duty to Register as a Sex Offender.
• Tymeisha Bell and Randy Blackburn - CAC investigators were called to a residence in Weston after three children, ages 5, 7, and 9, were left alone without supervision after the duo left to go to Florida.
• Shannon Blackwood - During a home verification check, deputies discovered that registered sex offender Blackwood was not in compliance with registration requirements. An arrest warrant for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender was issued by Collin County. Blackwood was later taken into custody in Oklahoma on the Collin County warrant.

The safety of our children is paramount. Our deputies and investigators work tirelessly, not only during October, but throughout the year to protect the most vulnerable members of our community and hold offenders accountable.

The Collin County Sheriff's Office extends its sincere appreciation to the CCSO Patrol Division, Anna Police Department, Paris Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service for their partnership and assistance during the operation.

“As families prepare for Halloween and continue navigating the digital world with their children, I encourage parents to remain vigilant. Talk with your kids about safety, be aware of their online activity, and don't hesitate to report suspicious behavior," said Sheriff Jim Skinner. “Protecting children is a year-round priority, and our commitment to that mission never stops."