Bowie County DAs request help in alleged sex assault of 15-year-old, suspect back in custody Friday afternoon

‘There could be witnesses or possibly other victims’

Brayden Lee Ross
Brayden Lee Ross

BOWIE COUNTY, Texas -- Authorities in Bowie County are asking for the public's help in the investigation of a man recently arrested for alleged sexual misconduct involving a 15-year-old girl.

Brayden Lee Ross, 21, was arrested Wednesday by the Bowie County Sheriff's Office and released Thursday after posting a $200,000 bond. First Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp announced early Friday afternoon that the DA's office is requesting that anyone with information relevant to the case contact the lead investigator, Kyle Holcomb of the Bowie County Sheriff's Office.

"We have received information that there could be witnesses or possibly other victims," Crisp said. "We are asking that anyone with information related to the investigation come forward."

Later Friday afternoon, Ross was taken into custody on additional charges. The charges include two counts of sexual assault involving the 15-year-old, bringing the total counts involving her to three. Other charges include two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 alleged to have occurred in 2017 and involving a second girl.

The investigation was launched Dec. 23 when BCSO deputies responded to a call regarding a possible sexual assault, according to a probable cause affidavit. Ross was allegedly dating an adult relative of the 15-year-old girl's and is accused of sexually assaulting the teen multiple times.

The first assault allegedly occurred Oct. 30 during a hunting excursion. Ross and the teen were allegedly alone during the outing.

"(The alleged victim) advised she was constantly thinking that she should call (her older relative) but that she was afraid because she was alone with this guy in the woods," the affidavit states. "She also said he told her he would hurt her if she told."

Ross allegedly assaulted the girl a second time during the week of Thanksgiving. Ross allegedly exposed himself to and assaulted the girl while others in the home were sleeping one morning. Another assault allegedly occurred Dec. 23, the same day a report was made to sheriff's deputies.

The girl reported that Ross blocked her on a social media application after assaulting her but would then "ask her to accept his request to be friends again before each incident."

If convicted of sexual assault involving the 15-year-old, Ross faces two to 20 years in prison on each of three counts.

If convicted of aggravated sexual assault involving a child under 14, Ross faces five to 99 years or life in prison on each count.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Bowie County Sheriff's Office Investigator Kyle Holcomb at 903-798-3375.

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