Man found guilty of child sex abuse, sentenced to life in prison without parole

PAUL CHAPIN
PAUL CHAPIN

NEW BOSTON, Texas -- A man charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without parole plus 60 years.

Paul Chapin, 52, of New Boston, was convicted Thursday in Bowie County's 202 District Court, with Judge John Tidwell presiding.

The jury deliberated about 10 minutes before giving Chapin the maximum punishment of life plus three 20-year terms for sexual assault. Tidwell ordered the terms run consecutively.

Chapin was represented by attorney Bart Craytor with the Bowie County Public Defender's Office.

Chapin allegedly abused a young girl for years at residences in Maud and New Boston, according to court records. He allegedly had access to the girl when she was between ages 11 and 17, while Chapin was living with someone close to her, according to a probable cause affidavit.

The girl reportedly told a forensic interviewer in another state that Sundays were the day when she felt safe, because her family members were always at home on that day.

Chapin allegedly abused the girl from 2014 to 2019 during times when the adults in the girl's family were at work. The girl reported that Chapin would regularly abuse her before she left for school in the morning, according to reports.

Chapin was arrested in July 2021 by New Boston Police Department. A Bowie County grand jury indicted him in October 2021.

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