MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX– In a significant verdict reached on June 14th, 2023, a Montgomery County jury found 44-year-old Tyrone Ard, Jr. guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. The honorable Judge Kathleen Hamilton of the 359th District Court, who presided over the case, subsequently sentenced Ard to Life in prison. Because of the charge, Ard is not eligible for parole.
Assistant District Attorneys Lianne Baldridge and Nancy Hebert presented compelling evidence during the trial, demonstrating that Ard had subjected five female children to various forms of sexual abuse between 2015 and 2018. The case came to light when authorities were alerted to an incident in Porter, Texas after a child confided in her mother about Ard’s inappropriate advances. Prompted by this disclosure, the concerned mother approached other children in the neighborhood, leading to four additional victims coming forward. These children recounted how Ard was also physically violent and intimidated them into silence, threatening them with harm if they ever disclosed the abuse.
The jury heard the emotional testimony of three of the five children. Following Ard’s guilty verdict, the remaining two children also bravely shared their accounts before Judge Hamilton. The trial proceedings included testimony from the victims’ mothers, a forensic interviewer, law enforcement officials, and a licensed trauma counselor. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, led by Detective Keith Echols, pursued this case. The Houston Children’s Assessment Center also played a pivotal role in supporting the pursuit of justice for these vulnerable children.
Prosecutor Lianne Baldridge said “Tyrone Ard represents the worst kind of predator. He’s one who preys on innocent children and resorts to physical violence in an attempt to ensure their silence. He deserves to be separated from the rest of the community, and thanks to the jury and Judge Hamilton, he will spend the rest of his life in prison.”
District Attorney Brett Ligon said, “In a remarkable display of bravery, the victims in this continuous sexual abuse case fearlessly testified against their abuser, defying threats of violence and intimidation. Their unwavering voices have triumphed over darkness, delivering a resounding message of justice.”
