Tyler, TX — A former Tyler City Marshal deputy accused of coercing a woman into undressing and recording her without consent is asking a court to reduce his bail after his total bond was increased to $450,000.
Javier Soto Jr., 33, of Tyler, was arrested July 28 on charges of Invasive Visual Recording, Official Oppression and Indecent Assault.
According to probable cause affidavits, Soto allegedly offered the woman $200 in exchange for nude images so she could avoid arrest on outstanding traffic tickets.
Investigators allege Soto entered the woman’s home, forced her to undress, filmed her and touched her without consent. Court records state he later left cash and asked for her phone number.
Soto was initially held on bonds totaling $250,000. According to his defense petition, after he posted bond but before being released from the Smith County Jail, Judge Reeve Jackson increased the total by another $200,000.
His attorneys argue the increased bonds are excessive, oppressive and beyond his financial means, and are asking the court to reduce them.
Soto faces a state jail felony charge for Invasive Visual Recording, which carries a potential sentence of 180 days to two years in state jail, a fine of up to $10,000 and sex offender registration if convicted.
A court date on the bail request has not yet been set.