The weekend arrest of 50-year-old Rodney Lee Harrison was the result of a joint investigation by Sulphur Springs Police Department and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office investigators into allegations of sex crimes involving two children. Child Protective Services and McKinney Police Department also aided in the case.
“He was on the run for seven days before McKinney Police Department took him into custody Friday at an apartment in McKinney,” Sulphur Springs Police Detective Sgt. David Gilmore said Tuesday.
Local law enforcement officials were first contacted in the early morning hours of Feb. 2 regarding the alleged sexual abuse of an 11-year-old child. During the investigation, officials received information alleging the youth had been sexually abused multiple times over a period of 1 1/2-2 years.
The offenses were alleged to have occurred in both Sulphur Springs as well as the Pickton area. Thus, investigators from both Sulphur Springs Police Department and Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office worked together on parallel investigations regarding Harrison, according to police investigators. Child Protective Services personnel were also contacted.
Officials sought and obtained a warrant Feb. 7 for Harrison’s arrest for continuous sexual abuse of a child, a first-degree felony offense with a punishment range of 25 to 99 years or life in prison if a defendant is convicted, according to Gilmore.
Through the course of investigation, Harrison was also accused of one count of indecency with another child, a 9-year-old, by sexual contact. Another warrant was sought and obtained for Harrison’s arrest on that second-degree felony charge on Feb. 11, according to the police detective.
Officials looked for Harrison for seven days before he was apprehended on Feb. 14 on both warrants as well as a speeding warrant.
“We were in contact several days with McKinney Police Department’s intelligence unit. The defendant was arrested Friday morning at an apartment complex in McKinney on the warrants,” Gilmore said. “The investigation continues.”
Rodney Lee Harrison was transported later Friday from Collin County jail to Hopkins County jail. He remained Tuesday, Feb. 18, in Hopkins County jail in lieu of $150,000 bond on the continuous sexual abuse of a child charge and $100,000 bond on the indecency with a child charge, according to arrest reports.
The arrest is not the first time Harrison has been in the county jail, according to jail reports. He was jailed Aug. 8, 2018 on a violation of parole warrant; he remained in Hopkins County jail until Sept. 12, 2018 on that charge, according to jail reports.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
