SSPD: Investigation Into Alleged Sexual Offenses Revealed Additional Child Victims
Investigation into alleged sexual offenses involving a 57-year-old Sulphur Springs, TX man revealed additional victims and resulted in an additional charge, according to Sulphur Springs Police Detective Sgt. Brian Shurtleff.
Kenneth Charles Smith has remained in Hopkins County jail since his arrest on September 4, 2019, on an indecency with a child by sexual contact warrant.
A 15-year-old, who does not reside in Sulphur Springs, reportedly made an outcry and Sulphur Springs police were contacted last fall. The teen alleged she was sexually molested at a Sulphur Springs address when she was 11 years old. The teen was interviewed at a child advocacy center by a forensic interviewer specially trained to speak with juveniles regarding allegations of abuse or crimes. Based on the police investigation, a warrant was obtained for Smith’s arrest on the indecency with a child by sexual contact charge, Shurtleff reported following Smith’s arrest.
The warrant was executed at the man’s residence and Smith was taken into custody at 2:30 p.m. September 4, 2019 on the charge. Smith was indicted on the indecency charge during the November 2019 Grand Jury session.
The investigation continued following Smith’s arrest. A total of four child victims have been identified. Based on the police investigation, “[Smith] was preying on early teens and prepubescent teens,” Shurtleff alleged.
Shurtleff served 57-year-old Smith at the county jail at 1:35 p.m. July 20, 2020 with an additional warrant alleging continuous sexual abuse of a child based on the additional allegations from the investigation. Smith remains in jail on the charges.
A continuous sexual abuse of a child charge is a first-degree felony offense, punishable upon conviction with “imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years,” according to Title 5, Chapter 21, Section 21.02 of Texas Penal Code.
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.
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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.
