08/27/2026
POLK COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 40 YEARS FOR SEXUAL CONTACT WITH A CHILD
Thomas Eugene Fuller has been found guilty of indecency with a child by s*xual contact and sentenced to 40 years in prison by a Polk County jury.
The trial began Monday, August 24, in the 258th Judicial District Court with Judge Travis E. Kitchens Jr. presiding.
Testimony showed that the incident happened while the child was staying at her adopted grandmother’s home, where Fuller was also living. The child did not immediately tell anyone because Fuller reportedly tried to frighten her into remaining silent. She later told her mother, who contacted law enforcement.
The children were taken to Childrenz Haven for forensic interviews. These interviews are designed to let children explain what happened in their own words without being led or pressured. The information was then reviewed by investigators, charges were filed and Fuller was arrested.
Captain Craig Finegan of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office testified about the investigation. The jury also heard from forensic interviewer Kaycee Hendrix about the interview process and what the child disclosed.
Assistant District Attorney Scott Ferguson prosecuted the case with help from Victim Assistance Coordinator Megan Knighton and Senior Trial Associate Taylor Grimm. The District Attorney’s Office also recognized the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Childrenz Haven and SANE nurse Krysti Griffin for their work.
District Attorney Shelly Sitton stressed that children do not always report abuse immediately, especially when they have been threatened, manipulated or frightened by the person responsible. A delay in speaking out does not make what happened any less serious.
Now Fuller will likely spend what remains of his life behind bars, where he cannot hurt another child. It appears this predator finally found a place where children are protected from him and enforced with steel bars.
Fuller received a 40-year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The exact amount of time he ultimately serves will depend on Texas law, credit for time already served and any future parole decision.
