Louisiana Man Arrested For Allegedly Having Sexual Contact With Girlfriend’s 7-Year-Old Daughter

Vernon Parish, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been arrested for allegedly having sexual contact with his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter.

On February 6, 2023, Sheriff Sam Craft of the Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office (VPSO) announced the arrest of Thomas A. McCartney, 35, of Leesville, Louisiana. The arrest is the result of a complaint received by VPSO late Sunday night, February 5, 2023.

At the time, the complainant stated that she had walked in on McCartney, her boyfriend, having sexual contact with her 7-year-old daughter.

According to the complainant, a disturbance involving a firearm ensued, and McCartney fled the residence in a vehicle. The VPSO began an immediate canvass of the area, and a warrant was prepared for McCartney.

During the course of the investigation, Detectives discovered that McCartney was a Tier 3 registered sex offender in the state of Louisiana.
A Tier 3 sex offender conviction is considered the most serious of all convictions, and offenders have the highest chance of committing another offense. Tier 3 crimes are the most serious.

Detectives also discovered that McCartney was previously arrested in 2006 for Felony Carnal Knowledge of a Juvenile and in 2010 for two counts of Aggravated Rape in relation to a 12-year-old victim.

Using forensic investigation tools, VPSO Detectives determined that McCartney was in Harris County, Texas. Harris County law enforcement officers were notified and were able to locate Thomas McCartney at a hotel in East Houston, Texas.

Without incident, McCartney was apprehended. McCartney was then arrested on the VPSO warrant for one count of First Degree Rape. He will be extradited back to Vernon Parish for prosecution.

Authorities stated that the investigation is ongoing and that additional charges are expected.

Sheriff Craft thanked the Texas Department of Public Safety Violent Crime Squad, Texas Highway Patrol, Harris County Sheriff’s Office D3 Crime Reduction Unit, and Texas Rangers for their quick response and arrest of McCartney.

Sheriff Craft also thanked 911 personnel at the Vernon Parish E911 Communications Center for their assistance in this investigation.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.