A Texarkana man who worked at the Barry Telford Unit of Texas Department of Criminal Justice in New Boston, Texas, recently resigned amid allegations of child sexual abuse.
Michael Avis, 31, quit his job Jan. 19 as a correctional officer at Telford while under investigation by Texarkana, Texas, police, said TDCJ Public Information Officer Robert Hurst. Hurst said Avis had worked at Telford since May 22, 2014.
Avis is accused of touching a 10-year-old female relative, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The alleged victim told a forensic interviewer at the Children's Advocacy Center in Texarkana that Avis was watching her while her mother shopped for Christmas presents on Christmas Eve. The girl said Avis touched her that day and on previous occasions as well.
Avis was recently charged with and arrested for indecency with a child by sexual contact. His case has not been presented to a grand jury for formal indictment.
If convicted of indecency with a child by contact, Avis faces two to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000. He is being held in the Bowie County jail. Bail is set at $100,000.