Text leads to sexual assault arrest

SMITH COUNTY – Tyler police officers arrested a man over the weekend for allegedly bringing two women into a house he did not own and sexually abusing them. A 911 text was sent by the women, leading to authorities finding and assisting the victims. An arrest affidavit states that an officer was sent to a Walton Road residence after receiving a 911 text that said “help.” Two women were “completely naked and appeared to be afraid,” according to what the officers saw through a window. When the officer asked the women if they were alright, they shook their heads and indicated a room where suspect Heath Butler was.

Butler allegedly threatened to “gun them down” if the women disobeyed his orders to undress, saying, “You are not going anywhere.” Then, with one hand in a bag where he claimed the pistol was, Butler sexually assaulted the women, they told the officer. According to one victim, she was “in fear for her life, and believed Butler had a firearm and would harm her if she did not comply with what he said.” Butler was charged with one count of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit sexual offense and two counts of aggravated sexual assault. He was brought to the Smith County Jail.