Travis Wayne Vavra, Child Sex Trafficking, Texas 2021

A disturbing case of child sex trafficking has come to an end with the sentencing of a 60-year-old El Paso man. Travis Wayne Vavra, 60, was sentenced to life in prison for his role in transporting children to engage in sexual activity.

According to court documents, Vavra was a long-haul truck driver who advertised free amusement park passes and cross-country trips for boys to explore the United States. As a result of the advertisement, Vavra transported a minor in his tractor trailer from the El Paso, Texas area to different states, including New Mexico, Missouri, Arizona, California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Louisiana from May 2015 to June 2019.

Vavra sexually assaulted the minor during these cross-country trips that began when the victim was nine years old. Vavra had also previously molested two other victims. On the date of his arrest, Vavra posted another flyer for parents and boys advertising these free cross-country trips.

Vavra was found to be in possession of child sexual abuse material on his phone at the time of his arrest. On June 29, 2021, a federal jury found Vavra guilty of one count of transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and one count of possession of a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor.

Vavra has remained in federal custody since his arrest on December 6, 2019. "Our office is committed to vigorously prosecuting cases against individuals who prey upon the most vulnerable among us – children," said U.S. Attorney Ashley C. Hoff. "We, along with our law enforcement partners, strive to protect our communities from these sexual predators and bring justice to victims of these heinous crimes so that they can begin the healing process."

The FBI investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Valenzuela and Richard Watts prosecuted the case. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The FBI, along with its partners, remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of El Paso, the children.

Defendant: Travis Wayne Vavra, Age: 60, Charges: Transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and possession of a visual depiction involving the sexual exploitation of a minor, City and State: El Paso, Texas, Crime Date: May 2015 to June 2019, Arrest Date: December 6, 2019, Sentence: Life in prison, Date: June 29, 2021.

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