Published: March 19, 2008 03:54 pm            

Local Optician Indicted

Charged with aggravated sexual assault

From staff reports



A Gun Barrel City businessman has been indicted by a Henderson County grand jury on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Curtis Edward Cook, owner of Cedar Creek Vision in Gun Barrel City, was indicted last Thursday, according to information provided by Henderson County District Attorney Donna Bennett’s office.

Cook was arrested earlier this month by the U.S. Marshal’s Task Force — and indicted by a Kaufman County grand jury on the same day — on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to Sgt. Richard Gaddis of the Kaufman County Sheriff's Department.

It was the second time in less than four months, and in two different counties, that Cook has faced such charges.

Cook posted a $40,000 bond after being arrested on aggravated sexual assault of a child charges in Henderson County last November.



On the Kaufman County charges, Cook was out on bail after posting $150,000 in bonds — $50,000 on each of the alleged three incidents, according to the grand jury indictment.

Cook was arraigned in Judge Howard Tygrett’s 86th District Court on Feb. 22.

Cook, through a spokesperson, has declined to comment on the cases.

The U.S. Marshal’s Task Force in this area is comprised of law enforcement officials in the northern district from the Terrell, Forney and Kaufman County sheriff’s departments.

The alleged incidents — including those in Henderson County — are reported to have occurred last October and November.

        

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