Published: November 11, 2008 10:42 am      

Rusk man sentenced to 70 years after violating terms of probation

By Cristin Ross

cross@jacksonvilleprogress.com

A Rusk man was sentenced last week to 70 years in state prison after violating his probation in an aggravated sexual assault of a child case.

Bascom Bentley, 369th District judge handed down the sentence Thursday to Kevin Hawes, 45. Cherokee County District Attorney Elmer Beckworth was the prosecutor.

“I’m happy Judge Bentley made the findings he did and sentenced appropriately,” Beckworth said Monday. “Like many cases that deal with victims of this age, many times the victim is unwilling to testify, leading to these cases being dismissed or getting a plea. Thanks to recent changes in the law and more children’s advocacy programs, we’re seeing more and more victims get counseling and are able to testify.”

The Rusk Police Department originally arrested Hawes in 1998 and charged him with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He was placed on deferred adjudication probation in 1999.

Beckworth’s office reported Hawes’ probation was revoked Thursday after he reportedly violated the rules of his probation by spending the night in a residence or residences in which minor children were present.

He also failed to perform court-mandated community service, according to reports from the District Attorney’s office.

Beckworth was unavailable for comment Monday.

Hawes is currently in the Cherokee County Jail, awaiting transfer to a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.