Irving Teen Accused of Forcing Girl Into Prostitution

Nimitz High School student's grandmother denies allegations

A 17-year-old high school student in Irving was arrested Monday on charges of forcing a 15-year-old girl into prostitution.

Travis Lekas, a Nimitz High School freshman, is charged with trafficking of a person younger than 18, compelling prostitution and sexual performance by a child.

Police say Lekas brought a 15-year-old girl to his Irving home, gave her Xanax, marijuana and alcohol and coerced her into prostitution with multiple men between April 29 and May 2.

Lekas' grandmother denied the allegations, saying the police are "lying."

"That's not true -- complete lies," Blanca Cameron told NBC 5. "This is a good friend from childhood. It's a complete lie."

Cameron described her grandson as a "good kid" who is "nice and polite," although he spends time with the wrong crowd.

The investigation into the case is just beginning, Irving police said. Investigators said they are looking into how the girl was prostituted and if websites were used.

Police are also investigating if anyone was at the home at the time of the incidents and knew about them.

Cameron said she is always home and never saw any of the allegations. She said the girl visits the home because she is a friend of her grandson's.

According to the arrest warrant, Lekas tried to recruit other girls from Nimitz and even Bowie Middle School.

"Our investigators are currently trying to find those girls and conduct interviews and find out if they are victims," Irving police spokesman John Argumaniz said.

News of Lekas' arrest shocked the neighborhood around both schools.

"As a parent, I mean, it's sad -- I mean, things we wish never happened," said Alma Salas, who lives a block from Nimitz and whose nephew attends Bowie.

The Irving school district Superintendent Dana T. Bedden said in a statement Tuesday that the district was treating the matter very seriously.

"It is our responsibility as a school district to enable the Irving Police Department to conduct a thorough investigation and, until they have completed their investigation, we will not be able to share any additional details," he said. "We will cooperate fully with the Irving Police Department and will take appropriate disciplinary action with regard to the student in question."

Bedden said the district would have counseling and other support available to students affected by the investigation. The district also will inform parents as more details about the investigation are released, he said.

Lekas was being held in the Irving city jail on $175,000 bail and was transferred to the Dallas County Jail on Tuesday.

He was previously arrested in March on a possession of marijuana charge. That case is not yet resolved.

NBC 5's Omar Villafranca contributed to this report.

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