A New Boston, Texas, man accused of sexually assaulting a 2-year-old girl and emailing pornographic photos of the abuse was indicted by a Bowie County grand jury for a second time last week.
But last week, Leatherman's case was again before a Bowie County grand jury for consideration. The grand jury handed down an indictment for possession or promotion of child pornography. The third-degree felony offense is punishable by two to 10 years in prison.
The investigation into Leatherman's alleged misdeeds began in Dallas, according to a probable-cause affidavit used to create the following account.
Police there received notification Aug. 9 from the email service AOL that five images depicting child pornography had been mailed by a subscriber with the username infantryman903, which was allegedly linked to Leatherman.
Special agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety determined the offensive photos appeared to have been taken in April. The images show a male wearing camouflage underwear with distinctive physical characteristics sexually assaulting a young child.
DPS investigators acquired a warrant and searched Leatherman's home Aug. 11 on Walters Street in New Boston. During the search, investigators allegedly found men's camouflage underwear identical to that worn by the man in the illicit pictures. Leatherman's cellphone was seized, as well. A woman with whom Leatherman had been living allegedly recognized his body, the underwear and the child pictured in the images when questioned by police.
Investigators reportedly found an LG cellphone in Leatherman's back pocket at the time of the search Aug. 11. An image of a child being sexually assaulted by an adult male was allegedly discovered on Leatherman's phone.
Leatherman is scheduled to appear before 102nd District Judge Bobby Lockhart for arraignment next month on the newest charge. Leatherman previously pleaded not guilty to the assault charge. He is being held in the Bowie County jail. Bail is set at $500,000.