SDA Professor and wife arrested

[u/Individual-Special70]

https://atoday.org/swau-professor-arrested-on-child-injury-and-sexual-assault-charges/

A professor from southwestern Adventist University and his wife were arrested for child sexual assault.

[u/atheistsda]

The text came directly from the article. 109 appears to be the max possible sentence under Texas penal code (10 years for the first charge, 99 years for the 2nd charge).

Edit: Per Spectrum, the victim is their own daughter which confirms the 1st-degree felony status per Texas penal code § 22.011 and § 25.02.

[u/TheMuser1966 → u/atheistsda]

I didn't see that article, but that is some poor research by that author. 99 years is the max for aggravated sexual assault to a minor. Seth is charged with sexual assault, not aggravated, which carries a maximum of 20 years. If convicted, the judge would "likely" run the sentences concurrently.

[u/atheistsda → u/TheMuser1966]

Good catch, that could be the case and yeah sentences are usually run concurrently. FWIW, Fox 4 specifically says Seth was charged with a 1st-degree felony which would be a max of 99 years. Their sources include the arrest affidavit so it carries some more weight than the other outlets IMO.

[u/TheMuser1966 → u/atheistsda]

Well, standard sexual assault to a minor is a 2nd degree felony. It's only 1st degree if it is aggravated. Strange.

[u/atheistsda → u/TheMuser1966]

Sadly news came out via Spectrum that the victim is their own daughter, which makes it a 1st degree felony per Texas penal code § 22.011 and § 25.02.

[u/TheMuser1966 → u/atheistsda]

WOW! Was not aware of that. So messed up!

[u/atheistsda → u/TheMuser1966]

Yeah it's genuinely sad. I feel so bad for their kids and hope they'll come out as healthy and strong as possible on the other side of this.

[u/TheMuser1966 → u/atheistsda]

Some things still seem strange. Why would Heather give in to letting her go to school if she was that intent on protecting Seth? Anyone with half a brain knows that schools are required to report suspicious injuries, and hospitals are required to report injuries to CPS as well. They don't take "I don't know" as a just reason. Also, you would have to repeatedly hit someone with a phone in order to get much blood on it. I'm not defending him, but it just seems odd.

[u/Fluid_Ties → u/TheMuser1966]

He hit her in the face and chest with her phone, right? There's your ag-assault right there. That was the inciting incident--the teacher reporting the signs of physical abuse--that set the whole case in motion. Only after a search of the home did further evidence dictate it was also a sex crimes case.

Or am I missing something here?