Shallowater man arrested following child sexual assault investigation

U.S. Marshals on Monday arrested a 38-year-old Shallower man suspected of raping one girl and attempting to sexually abuse another in 2018.

Paul Harris was booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two attempted sexual assault of a child.

His charges arise out of a Lubbock County Sheriff's Office investigation of an Aug. 29, 2019, report by a mother who said her daughter, who was a sixth grader at the time made an outcry accusing Harris of rape, according to an arrest warrant.

The girl's mother brought her to a friend to see if she could talk to her about her recent behavior, described in the warrant as "angry and disrespectful," the warrant states.

After speaking with the girl, the friend told the girl's mother about the outcry.

The girl met with a forensic interviewer and detailed a handful of episodes of sexual abuse and rape at Harris' hands while they lived in Shallowater.

The girl said she was sleeping on the couch where she was undressed and raped by Harris. She said it happened again later that week. She said Harris told her not to tell her mother.

In a written statement the girl sad she"cryed (sic) please stop, he would not stop over and over again."

The girl said her younger sister told their mother that Harris did something to her as well.

The girl's 9-year-old sister recounted to the forensic interviewer several episodes when she thwarted Harris' attempts at sexually abusing her.

She said she also witnessed Harris abusing her sister.

Investigators were unable to contact Harris. A warrant for his arrest was issued July 7.

He remains held at the jail. his bail amounts are set at $100,000 and $75,000.

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