Trial begins; defendant faces child molestation charge

Dennis Wolfenbarger
Dennis Wolfenbarger

NEW BOSTON, Texas-Trial began Tuesday afternoon following jury selection to decide the case of a man accused of molesting a former girlfriend's son in 2010.

Dennis Michael Wolfenbarger Jr., 48, is facing five to 99 years or life in prison if convicted of misconduct with the boy when he was approximately 5 years old. The alleged victim disclosed the abuse in 2016, years after his mother's relationship with Wolfenbarger ended.

The boy told investigators that Wolfenbarger first touched him inappropriately when he was home sick from school one day at a house where he, his mother and Wolfenbarger once lived together in New Boston, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. The boy described other incidences of sexual and physical abuse by Wolfenbarger and alleged that the defendant threatened him with physical harm if he told.

A jury of eight men and four women was selected Tuesday to decide the case. Wolfenbarger is represented by Sylvia Delgado of the Bowie County Public Defender's Office. Assistant District Attorneys Lauren Richards and Kelley Crisp are prosecuting.

The state has filed notice of its intent to introduce evidence that Wolfenbarger has been accused of sexually assaulting two women in the past.

Fifth District Judge Bill Miller is presiding over the trial.

 

[email protected]

Upcoming Events