Sexual abuse trial to begin today

Rickey Willis
Rickey Willis

NEW BOSTON, Texas -Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to begin Wednesday morning in the trial of a New Boston man accused of repeatedly molesting a young girl.

Rickey Willis, 55, is facing 25 to 99 years or life in prison if found guilty of the continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14. A jury of six men and six women was selected Tuesday to decide the case.

Willis is described as the alleged former boyfriend of the victim's mother in a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The allegations against Willis were brought to the attention of law enforcement in May 2017 when the girl was being seen by a doctor.

The girl described being assaulted on many occasions at residences in New Boston and Texarkana. The alleged victim, now 11, described the abuse as forcible and painful.

Willis has been accused of sexual misconduct in the past. In 1991 he entered a guilty plea to first-degree sexual abuse in Miller County, Ark., and received an eight-year sentence as part of a plea bargain, court records show.

Willis is represented by Texarkana lawyer Bart Craytor. First Assistant District Attorney Mike Shepherd and Assistant District Attorney Katie Carter are prosecuting. Overseeing the trial is 202nd District Judge John Tidwell.

Willis is being held in the Bowie County jail. Bail is set at $200,000.

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