De Kalb Man Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Child Over 25 Years Ago

NEW BOSTON, Texas–A Bowie County jury on Wednesday convicted a De Kalb man of five counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child involving a 9-year-old girl he abused more than 25 years ago.

At the time of the sexual misconduct in 2000, the defendant was known as Lance Wade Wilson, according to court filings. Last year, Wilson had their name changed to Anaya Janelle Wilson.

Wilson, 55, faces five to 99 years or life in prison on each count. Court records show Wilson has elected to have his punishment decided by the court, rather than the jury of eight men and four women who convicted him on Wednesday.

Judge Jeff Addison of the 102nd District Court is expected to hear arguments Thursday on the sentence Wilson should receive.

The victim, now an adult, reported the abuse in 2019. Wilson, a relative of the victim, sexually abused her repeatedly in multiple ways. Wilson made the girl and a juvenile male relative watch pornography and made pornography available to them. Wilson kept a journal detailing some of the sexual abuse, according to court records.

Investigators searched Wilson’s tractor trailer cab in 2019 and again in January this year. During the search this year, investigators seized a laptop, a cell phone, and several digital storage devices. Without the password, investigators could not examine the contents of the laptop, court records state.

No evidence was found on the phone but images of child pornography were discovered on two thumb drives, one of which was labeled “music” and the other of which was labeled “phone,” according to court records.

Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter is representing the state.

Wilson has been held in the Bowie County jail since his arrest Jan. 19. Bail was set at $750,000 prior to his conviction on Wednesday.