Cases Mount against Former Councilman

GRAPELAND � Troubles are growing for a former Grapeland city councilman. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott�s Cyber Crimes Unit arrested Aaron Pennington, 30, after allegedly discovering images of the sexual assault of a child. The Cyber Crimes Unit�s investigation of Pennington stemmed from a referral by the Grapeland Police Department; Houston County District Attorney Donna Kaspar will prosecute the cases in court.

Investigators from the Cyber Crimes Unit initially arrested Pennington on April 5 for possession and promotion of child pornography. That investigation led to additional charges when, on April 19, Pennington was arrested for sexual assault of a child. Two days later, on April 21, he was arrested for the third time after the Cyber Crimes Unit allegedly discovered images of the sexual assault of a child. In total, the defendant has been arrested for seven separate felony crimes against children.

After receiving a tip from the Grapeland Police Department, the Cyber Crimes Unit executed a search warrant and examined Pennington�s computer, where they discovered multiple illicit images of child pornography. Later, Cyber Crimes Unit investigators reviewed allegations that Pennington had sexually assaulted children in the Houston County area.