WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE ARREST ONE FOR CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT
Sheriff Hanak reports that on August 8, 2015, Washington County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigator Sergeant Mark Whidden initiated an investigation into allegations of Sexual Assault of a Child.
Information provided to Sergeant Whidden indicated that a twelve year old female had reported an incident in North Texas, stating that approximately two years prior, she was sexually assaulted by an adult male while both, including an adult female, were living in the same residence in Washington County.
Interviews were conducted with the victim, family members, and others during the course of the investigation. On January 22, 2015, Sergeant Whidden traveled to Calcasieu, Louisiana where he conducted an interview with the suspect, identified as forty-year old Starks, Louisiana resident Paul Rayland Bourque.
During the course of the interview, Bourque admitted to the allegations, and on January 29, 2015, Justice of Peace Doug Zwiener issued an arrest warrant, charging Bourque with Continuous Sexual Assault of a Child, a first degree felony.
Judge Zwiener set the bond at $250,000.00 and on February 11, 2015, Bourque turned himself in to the Washington County jail and on February 12, 2015, he was brought before 21st Judicial District Judge Carson Campbell who reduced the bond to $125,000.00.
Bond conditions set consisted of, but not limited to, electronic monitoring, no contact with any person under 18, and others were ordered. Bourque posted bond hours later, was released from custody, and returned to Louisiana.
Sergeant Whidden was assisted in obtaining statements by the Texas Rangers.
