Judge refuses lower bail for Texarkana man accused of molesting two girls

Wright came to the attention of Bowie County sheriff’s investigators in September when the parents of a 12-year-old girl reported their daughter told them she had been raped by Wright at his home on Buchanan Road in Bowie County, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The 12-year-old told a forensic interviewer at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Texarkana that she and a 15-year-old relative of Wright’s were spending the evening together at Wright’s home Sept. 20. The girl alleges Wright was drinking and forced the girls to play “quarters” and drink alcohol.

The 12-year-old told investigators Wright forced her to undress and sexually assaulted her in his bedroom while the 15-year-old was present. The girl described the sheets on Wright’s bed as having a camouflage pattern. The bedding was collected by investigators.

According to the affidavit, the 15-year-old is intellectually disabled and reported to investigators and CAC staff that she has been sexually assaulted multiple times by Wright.
Wright is facing a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child for his alleged misconduct with the 12-year-old and a charge of sexual assault of a child for his alleged misconduct with the 15-year-old. Bail on each count is set at $200,000 for a total of $400,000.

Smith argued that Wright isn’t capable financially of posting bond on the high bails, that he has strong ties to the community and that he isn’t a flight risk because he’s lived in Texarkana for more than 20 years and has been married for 37.

Assistant District Attorney Michael Shepherd told Pesek the state is “100 percent opposed,” to any reduction in Wright’s bail and argued that the amounts currently set are actually low for the alleged offenses. Shepherd also expressed concern for the safety of the community and the alleged victims.

“We’re dealing with two separate sexual acts with child victims within a month or two months time. The state has a great deal of concern for community safety,” Shepherd said. “Bond is appropriate and would allow for this court to know exactly where he is and insure the community is not endangered in any way.”

Pesek agreed and left Wright’s bails on each case set at $200,000.

A Bowie County grand jury handed down two separate indictments for Wright in December. One accuses Wright of sexual assault of a child involving the 15-year-old. If convicted of that offense, Wright faces two to 20 years in prison. The second indictment charges him with aggravated sexual assault of a child for his alleged misconduct with the 12-year-old. If convicted, Wright faces five to 99 years or life in prison.

Pesek scheduled him to return to court for a pretrial hearing next month.