Local News
Man sentenced to 230 years for molesting child
Mother denied child’s outcry, other family member called CPS
An Alvarado man was sentenced to 230 years in prison and $60,000 in fines Thursday for sexually assaulting a young girl he knew.
Darrin Michael Austad, 42, was found guilty last week on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and four counts of indecency with a child by a jury in William C. Bosworth’s 413th District Court.
“We’re very happy with the jury’s verdict,” Assistant District Attorney Martin Strahan said. “This is another example of how the DA’s office, under Dale Hanna, and the Johnson County juries will not tolerate people who hurt children.”
Austad’s attorney, Patrick Barkman of Cleburne, declined to address the particulars of the case but said, “We always have to have faith in the jury system.”
Austad received 75 years and a $10,000 fine for each of the two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and 20 years and a $10,000 fine for each of the four counts of indecency with a child. He will be eligible for parole in 30 years, Strahan said.
“I’m very pleased with the work Martin and Larry [Chambless, co-prosecutor] did,” District Attorney Dale Hanna said. “Johnson County has a staff of lawyers they can really be proud of.”
The victim testified about when the assault began. He started touching her inappropriately when she was 7, Strahan said.
She told her mother about the assault, but her mother denied it and did nothing to help her, he said.
The turning point came when the victim moved in with a family member in April 2005, after Austad hit her during a fight, Strahan said.
Austad apparently used drugs when the incidents occurred.
The family member she moved in with testified that the victim told her about the sexual assault four days after she moved in. She immediately called Child Protective Services, and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office became involved, Strahan said.
Austad denied the assault and the drug use. Prosecutors used testimonies from Tammy King, executive director of the Johnson County Children’s Advocacy Center, the child’s therapist and medical records from Cook Children’s Medical Center verified the assault, Strahan said.
- Cleburne
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The Cleburne Conference Center was recently recognized by the Building of America Network.
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Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
The Building of America Network selected the recently opened Cleburne Conference Center as one of its Building of America award winners.
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Cleburne grad killed in U.S. 67 wreck
Wet road conditions are thought to have been a factor in an accident early Thursday that killed a Cleburne woman whose car ran into a tractor trailer. -
Cleburne veteran awarded ATI scholarship
A Cleburne resident is among those who have received an ATI Larry Gilbert/Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Scholarship that supports U.S. veterans living in Texas.
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City tax rate protested, defended
A Tuesday called meeting of the Cleburne City Council prompted several residents to chime in on the proposed increase in city property tax rates. All voiced opposition to the measure.
City leaders are finalizing the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. -
Report faults pipeline operator for fatal explosion
The June 7 explosion of a gas pipeline near Godley resulted from numerous violations of state regulations by the operator, according to a Tuesday report by the Texas Railroad Commission.
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Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
- Johnson County
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The Cleburne Conference Center was recently recognized by the Building of America Network.
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Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
The Building of America Network selected the recently opened Cleburne Conference Center as one of its Building of America award winners.
- Officials searching for assault suspect
- Cleburne grad killed in U.S. 67 wreck
- Cleburne veteran awarded ATI scholarship
- City tax rate protested, defended
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Cleburne Conference Center recognized by building group
- Alvarado
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Police officer benefit concert today
A concert benefiting a Grandview police officer injured in the line of duty kicks off at 5 p.m. today in Alvarado.
- Friday night sights
- Vandals desecrate cemetery
- Stage set for benefit honoring officer
- Oh, baby, they’re all pretty
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Police officer benefit concert today
- Burleson
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Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Crash claims life of Burleson drag racer
- Businessman says city’s first tattoo studio will be upscale
- United Way, community build a better Johnson County
- Chisholm Trail 100 gives Grandview officer a helping hand
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Friday night sights
- Godley
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Riggin Cleveland, front right of the edge of the banner, and Garrett Murdick, back left edge, with their teammates at the 2008 Walk To Defeat ALS and their inspiration for walking, Riggin’s grandmother, Barbara Turner, standing with a walking aid.
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Godley boys not leaving the side of those in ALS fight
Two teenage boys from Godley soon may be visiting a grocery store near you. They won’t necessarily be looking for groceries, but, rather, sponsors to help them participate in a fund drive to raise money for the ALS Association of North Texas.
- Friday night sights
- Believe and see
- Godley man arrested on suspicion of assault
- Explosion reported at munitions plant between Godley and Cresson
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Godley boys not leaving the side of those in ALS fight
- Grandview
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Police officer benefit concert today
A concert benefiting a Grandview police officer injured in the line of duty kicks off at 5 p.m. today in Alvarado.
- Friday night sights
- Stage set for benefit honoring officer
- Free concert to feature local bands
- Snow cone devotees turn out to help Grandview officer
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Police officer benefit concert today
- Joshua
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Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Duty earns Joshua student prestigious ROTC award
- Man found dead hit by car; driver interviewed
- Partners in fighting crime
- Joshua man scuffles with police
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Friday night sights
- Keene
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Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Assistance program on table
- Former Keene teacher pleads not guilty
- Garage sale a booster to prison Bible studies
- Keene teacher indicted
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Friday night sights
- Rio Vista
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Friday night sights
Football was in the air this weekend as Johnson County teams hit the field for the first time in 2010.
- Three hospitalized in Rio Vista wreck
- Fort Worth man killed in Rio Vista wreck
- Hobbs looking to rebuild Eagle football from the ground up
- Godley, Grandview and Rio Vista grab accolades
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Friday night sights
- Venus
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Rusty Redden, a former offender, leads the men and their family members in bible study during a No Turning Back support group meeting Tuesday at Venus United Methodist Church.
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No turning back
Jimmy Humphus had an idea. He had already ministered to prisoners for three years at the Sanders Estes unit, a small minimum security prison in Venus.
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No turning back
