Henderson County District Attorney

06/02/2026

The Twelfth Court of Appeals recently upheld the conviction and life sentence of a Scurry man found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child in Henderson County, rejecting his claim that jurors should not have heard testimony from another alleged victim.

In the appeal, Manuel Lynn Tijerina argued that the trial court improperly allowed testimony from the victim's relative, who testified that Tijerina made sexual comments toward her, touched her inappropriately, and exposed her to po*******hy. The appeals court ruled the testimony was admissible under Texas law and was properly considered by the jury.

"This ruling shows that child predators cannot assume the passage of time or the absence of physical evidence will protect them from prosecution," said District Attorney Jenny Palmer. "Henderson County prosecutors will continue working with our law enforcement and child advocacy partners to seek justice for victims and hold offenders accountable."

05/01/2026

The Henderson County District Attorney's Office released its stats for April.

04/30/2026

As Child Abuse Awareness Month comes to a close, the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office is highlighting several major child abuse convictions secured during the first quarter of 2026. The cases reflect the office’s ongoing commitment to prosecuting crimes against children and seeking justice for victims and their families.

Among the most significant cases:

-- Michael Leonard Cunningham was sentenced to five life terms in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Sexual Assault of a Child, and Indecency with a Child. The sentence was handed down by 392nd District Court Judge R. Scott McKee. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Jenny Palmer and Assistant District Attorney Jessica Bargann.
-- Derrick Montroll Henley was sentenced to three life terms in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, and Indecency with a Child. The sentence was imposed by 3rd District Court Judge Mark Calhoon. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jessica Bargann and Jeff Herrington.
-- Ashton Salsman was sentenced to two life terms in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child by Judge McKee. The case was prosecuted by Palmer.
-- Randal Tidwell was sentenced to two life terms in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child by Judge Calhoon. The case was prosecuted by Palmer and Assistant District Attorney Aaron Lilly.
-- Dwight Hugh Fitzpatrick was sentenced to two 40-year prison terms for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child by Judge McKee. The case was prosecuted by Palmer.
-- John Cox was sentenced to life in prison for first-degree Injury to a Child by Judge McKee. The case was prosecuted by Palmer.

“These cases represent some of the most serious crimes prosecuted in our courts,” District Attorney Jenny Palmer said. “Every sentence reflects the work of law enforcement, prosecutors, child advocacy professionals, and the justice system working together to protect children and hold offenders accountable.”

April is recognized nationally as Child Abuse Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about child abuse prevention, supporting survivors, and recognizing the agencies and professionals who work to protect children.

04/21/2026

District Attorney Jenny H. Palmer reports that the Henderson County Grand Jury for the April session of the January, 2026 term returned the following indictments. In addition, 16 cases are indicted under seal.

04/20/2026

Last week, a Henderson County jury returned verdicts of two life sentences for Randall Tee Tidwell, 81, on the charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. District Attorney Jenny Palmer and Assistant District Attorney Aaron Lilly prosecuted the case before 3rd District Court Judge Mark Calhoon.

The jury heard that in 2025, two young girls (ages 8 and 4 at the time of the report) reported Tidwell had sexually abused them over multiple years. Tidwell, a truck driver, sexually abused both children in his truck and at his home in Seven Points. The children initially made their outcry in Kansas, where the children had moved after living with Tidwell.

The case was investigated by Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigator Timothy Tanner. Investigators Michael Massey and Jerry Moore assisted Tanner. Investigators Moore and Massey obtained a confession from Tidwell, who admitted to sexually abusing the girls on more than one occasion.

Palmer expressed gratitude for the hard work of Sheriff Hillhouse's Task Force and Maggie's House.

"The children had so much support during the trial, from the eldest's former principal and her 1st grade teacher, to witnesses from Kansas who flew and drove in from out of State to ensure they received justice for what happened to them," she said. "The jury took less than 20 minutes to reach their two life sentences verdict. Tidwell will never again see freedom."

04/17/2026

Dwight Hugh Fitzpatrick received two 40-year sentences for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child in the 392nd District Court in Henderson County.

The investigation began in February 2024 when the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force was assigned to investigate an outcry made by a child to her maternal and paternal grandmothers alleging sexual abuse by Fitzpatrick. The grandmothers brought the child to Maggie’s House, where she provided details about the abuse to a trained forensic interviewer.

“We worked closely with the family of the young victim to ensure her needs were our first priority,” DA Jenny Palmer said. “Members of her family appeared in court wearing pink, her favorite color, and expressed their gratitude that she did not have to testify. Representatives from Maggie’s House, along with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, were also present during the plea."

During the investigation, Task Force Investigator Meagan Hogan also identified a second victim—an incarcerated woman—who reported being abused by Fitzpatrick more than a decade earlier.

Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to charges involving both victims. As part of the sentence, both victims were granted lifetime protective orders prohibiting Fitzpatrick from attempting to contact them from prison.

"I am proud of the work by Henderson County’s Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigator Meagan Hogan," said Palmer. "Her dedication and thorough investigation ensured the defendant pleaded guilty, keeping a young child from having to testify.”

04/09/2026

04/02/2026

Shirts for this year’s Go Blue campaign will begin showing up across Henderson County by the end of the week.

Residents will be able to purchase $15 shirts at Island Tans in Athens, Brave Hawk Sports in Chandler, and at both the County Attorney’s and District Attorney’s offices. Order forms will also be sent to local schools.

Additional sales are planned through pop-up events in April, giving the community several ways to take part and support child abuse prevention efforts.

03/30/2026

Cooper Garlington of Brownsboro ISD picked up his Go Blue shirt this week. He was named the winner of the countywide coloring contest that helps lead the annual campaign.

Each year, all Henderson County fourth-grade students are invited to take part in the contest, creating posters that highlight the importance of child abuse prevention. The winning design is featured on the next year’s Go Blue T-shirt.

The Go Blue campaign, led by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, is held each April in recognition of Child Abuse Awareness Month and serves as a community-wide effort to support prevention programs.

Go Blue shirts are $15 each and will be available by the end of the week at the following locations:

- Island Tans in Athens
- Brave Hawk Sports in Chandler
- Henderson County Attorney’s Office
- Henderson County District Attorney’s Office

Order forms will also be distributed to local schools by the end of the week.

Community members can also purchase shirts at upcoming pop-up events:

- Treehouse Cupcakes on Friday, April 10
- Sonic on Friday, April 17

Proceeds from shirt sales support programs that help prevent child abuse and assist children and families across Henderson County.