Jury Sentences Texarkana Man to 20 Years for Grooming Teens

A Bowie County jury has sentenced 36-year-old Matthew Lyn Riddle of Texarkana, Texas, to 20 years in prison for misconduct involving two teenage girls. Riddle was convicted on 2 counts of sexual grooming of a child and 1 count of online solicitation of a minor. The sentence recommended by the jury was the maximum penalty possible for the convictions handed down last week.

Riddle's offenses involved sending numerous sexually explicit messages and inappropriate touching of the female teen athletes under the guise of giving batting lessons. The jury's decision reflects the community's recognition of the trauma inflicted on the victims and their families..

First Assistant District Attorney Kelley Crisp hopes the outcome of this case will encourage other victims of these crimes to come forward, noting the state is committed to preventing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Along with the prison sentences, Riddle has been fined a total of $30,000, and upon release, may be required to register as a sex offender.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Riddle misrepresented his military service, falsely claiming to be a combat veteran and former Air Force investigator.

Sexual Grooming of a child is a relatively new law in the State of Texas, which was passed in 2023. This conviction might be one of the first of its type in the state.