A suspected human trafficker accused of dozens of child sex crimes and kidnapping appeared in court today.
Issac John Collins is charged with 66 counts of sexual assault of a child, aggravated kidnapping, attempt to commit aggravated sexual assault of a child, indeceny with a child, and unlawful restraint of someone less than 17 years of age.
KRIS 6 News is unclear what led to the charges but court documents show the charges were filed between Jan. 3, 2019, and Feb. 7, 2019. They all derive from an investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety. A press release sent out by D.P.S. in January stated Collins was believed to be involved in human trafficking.
KRIS 6 News has placed a call to the local Texas D.P.S. office for more information.
A hearing was held for Isaac John Collins, 32, after his defense attorney R.J. Torres filed a motion to withdraw from the case.
Torres told visiting Judge Linda Schauer that he and Collins could not agree on the strategy of his case.
“I am trying to direct and inform Mr. Collins on how I think we should proceed as far as trial strategy. He has his own strategy in that regards,” Torres said, “There’s an inability to communicate. As well as a failure to oblige by the terms of the contract.”
Torres said Collins wanted to undergo a mental evaluation but he felt that his client was competent and was aware.
Collins told the judge he hired Torres and admitted to asking him to request a mental evaluation on his behalf.
Schauer asked Prosecutor Crystal Mathis if she felt Collins needed to be evaluated. Mathis said she believed a mental competency evaluation is needed before moving forward with his case.
Judge Schauer asked Mathis to prepare paperwork requesting that Collins undergo a mental evaluation. The court would appoint him an attorney but Collins said he would hire his own attorney.
Meanwhile, Collins remains in the Nueces County Jail on a $450,000 bond.
