Pilot Point mayor resigns after being arrested on charge of soliciting a minor

The mayor of Pilot Point has resigned after being accused of soliciting a minor for sex.

Matthew McIlravy, 42, was booked into the Dallas County jail Tuesday afternoon on a charge of online solicitation of a minor under the age of 14, a second-degree felony, and has since been released on bond. It is unclear whether he has an attorney.

At Thursday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Pro Tem Chad Major — who led the meeting in the mayor’s absence — said McIlravy had submitted his resignation and the council would act on it at a future meeting, in accordance with Texas law and the city’s charter.

Dallas police said he was arrested after a five-month investigation that also included the U.S. Marshals Task Force, the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Collin County district attorney’s office.

According to an arrest-warrant affidavit obtained by KTVT-TV (Channel 11), McIlRavy exchanged messages with an undercover officer posing as a 12-year-old girl.

Police said the investigation also revealed additional “communications with minors” who have not been identified.

Anyone with information about the case may contact Detective Michael Fontenot at 214-671-4281 or michael.fontenot@dallascityhall.com.

Pilot Point is about 45 miles north of Dallas in Denton County. McIlravy started his three-year term as mayor in May, according to the city’s website, which removed his biography shortly after his arrest was announced.

McIlravy previously served as a Pilot Point City Council member.