Judge Wes Tidwell sentenced 46-year-old Andrew McCarty to life in prison under Texas’s ‘auto-life’ law for repeat child molesters after a Lamar County jury convicted him of Indecency with a Child by Contact on Monday.
In September 2024, Paris police officers received a report from McCarty’s girlfriend that he had been abusing her 11-year old daughter. The girl disclosed to a forensic interviewer at the Children’s Advocacy Center that McCarty would come into her room once or twice a week, adjust the air conditioner, then rub her genitals before leaving the room. Detective David Whitaker of the Paris Police Department interviewed McCarty, who ultimately confessed to two specific incidents of molesting her, describing them in almost the exact same way she had told the forensic interviewer.
“McCarty’s confession was a powerful piece of evidence for the jury to consider,” said First Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Kaminar. “Combined with his prior conviction for the exact same offense in Fannin County, the jury had a clear understanding that McCarty is a predator.”
“We could see the impact McCarty’s own words had when we played them for the jury,” said Assistant District Attorney Erin Lewis. “We saw jurors nodding in approval when they heard about the victim’s mom confronting him with a gun after learning about the abuse.” The jury was also presented with expert testimony from Misty Edzards, a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner regarding the child’s medical exam and history. Finally, they heard the child herself recount McCarty’s abuse.
After watching the video of McCarty’s confession interview, hearing testimony, and seeing the medical records and previous judgment, the jury spent approximately 10 minutes deliberating before finding McCarty guilty. Judge Tidwell then imposed the automatic life sentence for McCarty’s second child sexual abuse conviction. McCarty will be eligible for parole consideration in 35 years, when he will be 80 years old. McCarty’s sentence is also the third sentence of life or longer obtained by Kaminar and Lewis at trial this year.
“We appreciate the thorough work of our law enforcement partners and the Children’s Advocacy Center’s multi-disciplinary team, especially Detective Whitaker’s work in this case,” said Lamar County District Attorney Nick Stallings. “The people of Lamar County are also fortunate to have Ben and Erin working these challenging cases. Their work and this jury’s verdict send a strong message that Lamar County will bring child abusers to justice.”
The case was tried in the 6th District Court before Judge Wes Tidwell. McCarty was represented by David Turner.
