Fort Worth, TX – A 36-year-old Fort Worth man was sentenced to 30 years in Texas prison Monday after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child he groomed and abused over several years.
On February 9, 2026, Charles Joel Thompson entered a guilty plea to the charge of sexual assault of a child in the 297th District Court. Judge [name withheld pending official release] accepted the plea and imposed the 30-year sentence as part of a negotiated agreement with prosecutors.
According to court records and statements from the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, the victim first reported the abuse to Fort Worth police in 2024. She told investigators that Thompson began grooming and sexually assaulting her in 2019 when she was 15 years old and he was 30. The abuse continued for years.
After the victim turned 17, the relationship became extremely violent, prosecutors said. She eventually escaped the situation and came forward to report the years of sexual abuse and violence.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Victoria Lydahl and Lucas Allan. DA Investigator Clint Leach assisted with the investigation, and Victim Coordinator Laura Medina supported the survivor throughout the process.
Thompson will be required to serve at least half of his 30-year sentence before becoming eligible for parole, per Texas law governing the offense. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life following his release.
Authorities encouraged anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault or knows of similar crimes to contact the Fort Worth Police Department or the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office. Support services are available through local organizations including The Archway (formerly SafeHaven of Tarrant County) and the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
