TEXARKANA, Texas–A 59-year-old Bowie County man has been arrested on a charge of child grooming and is being held in jail with bail set at $150,000.
Douglas Todd White was driving with several children in a car when he was pulled over at about 2:35 a.m. on Dec. 5 by a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper, according to a probable cause affidavit. The trooper was suspicious regarding one of the boys in particular and arranged for White to be interviewed by DPS investigators that morning.
White’s phone allegedly revealed text messages between him and one of the boys which threatened to withhold things like rides and food should he not engage in certain activities.
A relative of the boy allegedly told investigators that White is known “to hang out with young boys.”
The boy allegedly told a forensic interviewer that White has shown him images of child sexual abuse material and pornography involving adults, the affidavit said. White allegedly made sexual statements to the boy and wanted him to come to his house when nobody else is there, the affidavit said.
White faces two to ten years if convicted of sexual grooming of a child.
He is currently being held in the Bowie County jail.
Records show White is represented by the Bowie County Public Defender’s Office. The case has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.