A jury of eight women and four men was selected Tuesday morning at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston, Texas, to decide if a Texarkana man is guilty of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Jason Scott Estes, 30, faces two to 20 years in prison on each of two counts of sexual assault of a child. Estes was staying at the girl’s parent’s home in August and September of 2014 when the assaults allegedly took place.
Estes was taken into custody Monday at the Bi-State Justice Center in Texarkana on a motion to revoke his bond and on a warrant for retaliation. Estes is accused of kicking in the door of the alleged victim’s family house in July. When the girl’s father allegedly found Estes in the home’s kitchen and asked him why he was there, Estes allegedly responded by stating he was there for “vengeance.”
Fifth District Judge Bill Miller set bail for Estes at $75,000 at Monday’s hearing. After jury selection Tuesday, Estes’ defense attorney, Mike Lusk of Texarkana, asked for a lower bail but Miller declined.
Retaliation is punishable by two to 10 years in prison. The jury chosen Tuesday morning is only going to be asked to decide if Estes is guilty of the two sexual assaults. Opening statements and witness testimony are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning.
Estes is currently in Bowie County custody.