Bowie County prosecutors and Texarkana area law enforcement are asking for the public’s help in locating Tevin “T-Will” Willis.
Willis, 21, was scheduled to go on trial today at the Bowie County courthouse in New Boston, Texas, for sexual assault involving a 14-year-old girl. A reward up to $1,000 for information leading to Willis’ apprehension is being offered by Texarkana Area Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP.
Tuesday morning, 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart said he issued a warrant for Willis’ arrest yesterday. Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp said Texarkana, Texas and Texarkana, Ark., police have initiated a manhunt and are eager to catch the fugitive.
“I Have faith that law enforcement is going to get him picked up and that the citizens are going to help us do it,” Crisp said.
Willis and Rickey Mask, 22, allegedly took turns holding down the girl as the other had sex with her Aug. 15, 2014, according to a probable cause affidavit. The girl told investigators with the Texarkana, Texas, Police Department she was visiting a girlfriend the day of the attack at an apartment complex not identified in court records.
The girl said two men, whom she did not know, came and left as she and her friend watched a movie. The 14-year-old was alone for a short period after her friend walked to another apartment to visit a relative who also lived there. During that time, Willis and Mask allegedly returned.
The girl told investigators she tried to fend off the men’s unwanted advances before one of them used a small couch to block the front door as the other held her down and undressed her. The girl said the men took turns holding her down while the other raped her.
Willis is also facing a rape charge in Miller County. Willis is accused in Miller County of raping a woman May 12, 2015 at her apartment in Texarkana, Ark., according to a probable cause affidavit on file in Miller County. The woman told investigators she was socializing with a friend when Willis stopped by asking for a cigarette. The woman said her friend went home while Willis was in the bathroom. When Willis tried to kiss the woman, she pushed him. Willis locked the apartment’s front door, elbowed the woman in the face, and raped her at about 1 a.m.
Willis is charged with two counts of sexual assault, a crime punishable by two to 20 years in prison, in Bowie County. Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp filed a motion asking the court to stack Willis’ sentences on the two counts if he is found guilty. The rape charge in Miller County pending against Willis is punishable by 10 to 40 years or life.
Anyone with information concerning Willis’ whereabouts is asked to call 9-1-1 or Crime Stoppers at 903-793-STOP.
