Man Faces Third Assault Charge in a Week’s Time

HALLSVILLE � Police arrested a Hallsville man, charging him with a third sexual assault of a child offense in a week�s span, according to police reports. James Wesley Pierce, 44, was arrested Thursday on charges of sexually assaulting a child younger than age 17, according to police files. KETK and the Longview News-Journal report he also was arrested the previous Friday on the charges of sexual assault of a child and aggravated sexual assault of a child.

According to arrest affidavits signed by Justice of the Peace Nancy George, the mother of the child notified authorities that she received text messages on her computer between the girl and the defendant that she felt were inappropriate. The girl told detectives Pierce touched her a week before Thanksgiving while the two sat on his couch, and on other occasions, including on her 14th birthday. The affidavit shows he exposed himself to her in December. Pierce denies the allegations.

An additional affidavit indicates he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old in the safe room at his house. The girl said the defendant told her not to tell anyone and that she was afraid of him. Pierce posted $200,000 bond Friday morning.