80 years prison for sex assaults

HENDERSON – A man has been sentenced after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child in Henderson County. According to our news partner KETK, the Henderson County District Attorney announced on Friday that Dwight Hugh Fitzpatrick received two 40-year sentences for aggravated sexual assault of a child. This comes after more than two years since the investigation began when a child told her grandmother that she had been sexually assaulted.

“We worked closely with the family of the young victim to ensure her needs were our first priority,” DA Jenny Palmer said. “Members of her family appeared in court wearing pink, her favorite color, and expressed their gratitude that she did not have to testify. Representatives from Maggie’s House, along with a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, were also present during the plea.”

The investigation also uncovered a second victim, who was incarcerated and reported having been abused by Fitzpatrick over a decade ago.

Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to charges involving both victims. As a result, the victims were granted a lifetime protective order, ensuring Fitzpatrick is prohibited from contacting them from prison.

“I am proud of the work by Henderson County’s Crimes Against Children Task Force Investigator Meagan Hogan,” Palmer said. “Her dedication and thorough investigation ensured the defendant pleaded guilty, keeping a young child from having to testify.”