UPDATE 10/2 at 11:15 a.m.:
The Bell County Sheriff's Office provided an update on Thursday, shedding light on the timeline of the investigation into the Academy ISD staff member, William “Will” Anthony Blackburn Sr., who was recently arrested.
Timeline of Events
On Sunday, September 28, the sheriff's office was notified just after 4 p.m. by a parent of a sexual assault allegation. Deputies responded and the child was taken to Baylor Scott & White McLane Children's Hospital where they received medical care.
Later that night, the sheriff's office Criminal Investigation Division notified the Bell County Sheriff's Office School Resource Sergeant after learning Blackburn was an employee at Academy ISD and worked in maintenance and as a bus driver.
BCSO confirms Blackburn had no prior criminal history prior to this investigation and had been employed with Academy ISD for the past five years.
Once law enforcement were notified, the district immediately suspended Blackburn and revoked his access to children.
On Monday, September 29, BCSO issued its joint press release with Academy ISD to make parents aware of the investigation.
That same day, a forensic interview was done at the Central Texas Child Advocacy Center where investigators learned information that gave them probable cause for a charge of Display of Harmful Material to a Minor.
Judge Coleman issued an arrest warrant and Blackburn was found, arrested, and booked into the Bell County Jail and placed on a felony 48-hour investigative hold.
On Tuesday, September 30, Academy ISD provided requested evidence to the BCSO. Additional witness interviews were done and three search warrants were obtained, then information was given to the Bell County District Attorney to review.
On Wednesday, October 1, search warrants were executed at Blackburn's home and his vehicle and Blackburn was formally served three additional charges while still in custody at the Bell County Jail: Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Indecency with a Child by contact, and Indecency with a Child by exposure.
From the sheriff's office
The BCSO is asking the public and Academy ISD community: if your child has been in contact with Blackburn, and after speaking with your child if you have any concerns, reach out to the sheriff's office.
"We stress the importance of trauma-informed conversation (non-judgmental, body autonomy/safety, staying away from body shaming). Creating a safe space for your child to open up without fear of punishment, embarrassment, or judgment," the sheriff's office said.
Baylor Scott & White McLane's Children's Hospital has a webpage available to help parents with these kids of conversations. Click here to learn more.
"We will continue to investigate; however, further details won’t be released to preserve the judicial process. We encourage the public to reach out if they have any concerns regarding their children’s contact with Mr. Blackburn," the sheriff's office said.
Blackburn's total bond listed on the Bell County Jail inmate portal is $560,000.
UPDATE 10/1 at 7:25 p.m.:
Additional complaints have been issued against William “Will” Anthony Blackburn Sr., the Academy ISD staff member who was recently arrested, for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, Indecency with a Child by contact, and Indecency with a Child by exposure, the Bell County Sheriff's Office said.
The BCSO says it presented the Bell County District Attorney's office regarding Blackburn's criminal actions and Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman issued arrest warrants for those charges
Investigators served those warrants to Blackburn at the Bell County Jail, where he remains in custody.
Judge Coleman has set the bonds at $250,000 for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, $150,000 for Indecency with a Child by contact, and $150,000 for Indecency with a Child by exposure.
The sheriff's office again is encouraging anyone with information related to this investigation to contact the Bell County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at (254) 933-5435 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at (254) 526-8477, or online at bellcountycrimestoppers.com.
UPDATE 9/30 at 7:50 a.m.:
On Tuesday, The Bell County Sheriff's Office said William “Will” Anthony Blackburn Sr. has been booked into the Bell County Jail.
According to the sheriff, on Monday investigators with the Criminal Investigations Division presented information to Justice of the Peace Cliff Coleman charging Blackburn with "Display Harmful Material to a Minor."
After a warrant was issued, Blackburn was found in Killeen and arrested.
Officials are encouraging anyone with information to contact the Bell County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at 254-933-5435 or Bell County Crime Stoppers at 254-526-8477.
ORIGINAL 9/29 at 4:30 p.m.:
An Academy Independent School District staff member is on administrative leave, pending an investigation sparked by a the Bell County Sheriff's Office being notified about an alleged sexual assault of a student.
The Bell County Sheriff's Office and Academy ISD put out a joint press release on Monday, explaining that the sheriff's office was notified on Sunday of the alleged sexual assault of a student and that the suspect is a an Academy ISD employee who is support staff, meaning they are anon-educator/coach.
"Academy ISD takes all allegations of this nature very seriously and is fully cooperating with law enforcement," the press release said.
The investigation into the reported crime is being handled by the Bell County Sheriff's Office's Criminal Investigations Division. The employee will stay on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
Due to privacy concerns, no additional information has been released and the matter is under active investigation.
