A Texarkana man who allegedly initiated contact with police because he wanted to confess a crime pleaded not guilty Monday to the continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14, a crime that carries a minimum 25-year punishment.
Brandon Lee Loftin, 35, appeared with Jeffery Haas of the Bowie County Public Defender's Office for arraignment before 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. Haas entered a not guilty plea on Loftin's behalf and Tidwell scheduled the case for a pretrial hearing in May.
Police were called Jan. 13 to a location in the 2100 block of State Line Avenue regarding a man who wanted to "confess a crime," according to a probable cause affidavit. Brandon Lee Loftin, 35, allegedly told officers he had molested a young female relative several years ago and he wanted to turn himself in.
Loftin was taken to the Bi-State Justice Building, where he met with investigators. He allegedly claimed he had taught a girl to perform oral sex when she was 5 or 6 years old at residences in Texarkana and New Boston, Texas. Loftin allegedly reported that the girl now lives with her mother in Alaska.
Local investigators contacted Alaska state troopers, who arranged for the girl to be interviewed at a Children's Advocacy Center. The girl allegedly confirmed what Loftin had confessed and described being sexually abused by Loftin from the time she was in kindergarten until she was about 10 years old.
Loftin is facing 25 to 99 years or life in prison if convicted and there is no parole from any sentence imposed. He is currently being held in the Bowie County jail with bail set at $250,000.