In a shocking and disturbing case out of Texas, a man named David Calhoun has been found guilty of torturing children and has received multiple life sentences for his heinous crimes. The details of the abuse are truly horrifying, as prosecutors have likened it to the torture endured by prisoners of war and political prisoners during the Korean and Vietnam wars.
According to reports, Calhoun subjected several of his stepchildren and nephews to unimaginable acts of violence and cruelty while they lived with him in a fifth-wheel trailer near Gainesville, Texas. The Cooke County District Attorney’s Office revealed that jurors wasted no time in reaching a guilty verdict, deliberating for less than an hour before convicting Calhoun on five counts of sexual assault of a child, seven counts of aggravated assault, and one count of assault strangulation.
The punishment handed down to Calhoun matches the severity of his crimes. Jurors took about the same amount of time to determine his sentence, which includes 10 life sentences, a 10-year sentence, and two 20-year sentences. This ensures that Calhoun will spend the rest of his life behind bars, where he belongs.
Cook County prosecutor Eric Erlandson expressed his shock at the level of abuse inflicted by Calhoun, stating that it was the worst abuse he had ever seen. The mental, psychological, and physical torture endured by the children over a period of six years is truly unimaginable. However, Erlandson also commended the courage and resilience displayed by the victims, highlighting their determination to make their story heard.
The investigation into Calhoun’s abuse began in 2022 after his 16-year-old nephew was found in a Nebraska hotel room with unrelated adults. The teenager had fled from home to escape the extreme abuse he was subjected to. He bravely shared the horrifying details of his ordeal, revealing scars across his body and recounting instances of being tied up, set on fire, beaten, stabbed, and burned on a daily basis.
Further evidence uncovered by investigators indicated that the abuse had taken place in multiple cities across East Texas, affecting both children and adults in the home. The extent of the abuse reached its peak in Cooke County, Texas, where it was described as “Intrafamilial Child Torture” by Pamela Miller, a Senior Policy Analyst with the APSAC Center for Child Policy. Miller drew parallels between the abuse suffered by Calhoun’s victims and the torture endured by prisoners of war and political prisoners during past conflicts.
It is important to note that Calhoun’s wife, Ashley Calhoun, and another adult living in the home have also been indicted for their alleged involvement in the case. They are scheduled to face trial next month, and it is hoped that justice will be served for all those affected by this horrific ordeal.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the evil that exists in our society. It is a testament to the strength and resilience of the victims that they were able to come forward and bring their abuser to justice. However, it also highlights the importance of vigilance and the need to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from such unspeakable acts. The trauma and pain endured by these children will undoubtedly have lasting effects, but we can only hope that they find solace and healing in the knowledge that justice has been served.
