Badger charged with sex offenses in Granite Shoals

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

In an investigation still ongoing in Granite Shoals, Dustin Allen Badger, 27, is facing first degree felony charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Sex Abuse of a Child Continuous of a victim younger than 14.

Badger was arrested on the first charge April 12, while victim outcry interviews were still underway at the Hill Country Child Advocacy Center. The Granite Shoals Police Department (GSPD) requested cooperation from the press to delay coverage as the investigation continued.

Arrest on the second charge took place Monday night, April 17, and Tuesday the GSPD issued an official press release on the investigation of the young man with no prior assaultive or sex offenses on his record and, in Burnet County, only one previous arrest for driving with an invalid license.

“The Granite Shoals Police Department was contacted by Child Protective Services (CPS) in reference to an outcry made by one of the victims,” said Sgt. Chris Decker, GSPD public information officer. “Child Protective Services staff contacted the Granite Shoals Police Department to investigate. CID Sgt. Paul Chrane arrived on scene and was able to coordinate with the Hill Country Child Advocacy Center (HCAC) to have all the victims interviewed.”

The process of verifying a sexual assault charge involves interviews, followed by an exam by a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) but during that time Chrane contacted duty officers to coordinate obtaining an arrest warrant. Sgt. Decker worked with Chrane to secure the warrant request that was signed by Granite Shoals Municipal Judge Frank Reilly.

According to the press release, GSPD Chief Gary Boshears, and Officer John Ortis, along with Sgt. Decker, located the suspect made the initial arrest.

On April 12, Badger was located at a residence in Granite Shoals and arrested for the higher charge of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child

Badger was able to bond out on a $150,000 bond on Sunday April 16, but in light of the second arrest that bond was withdrawn. On Tuesday, he remained in jail on a required $250,000 on the continuous charge and a new $300,000 bond, re-set by Judge Riley on the first charge, a total of $550,000.

“The victims knew Badger and there was no danger to the public,” read the GSPD statement. “This is still and active and ongoing investigation.”