An Upshur County Man, 50-year-old Walter Robert Bartram, II was tried in the 115th District Court for multiple counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault with the same child under the age of 14 on April 14th, 2024, in Gilmer, Texas. Additionally, the defendant was tried for multiple counts of Sexual Assault of another minor child.
Both children were family members but to protect the identity of the victims their names will not be released.
This case came to the attention of law enforcement when one of the victims came to the Upshur County Sheriff's Office on January 5, 2020 to report that they had been sexually abused by Walter Bartram. At that time, the Upshur County Sheriff's Office began an investigation of the case which lead to the identification of a second victim. The offense dates go back to years 2006-2011 and each victim had been assaulted multiple times.
At trial both victims took the witness stand and testified against the defendant. Statements by both victims helped corroborate the testimony of the other victim. Both victims were brave and while moving forward in life they too still deal with the pain and hurt these horrific crimes caused both of them and have impacted their lives forever.
The jury returned a verdict shortly after 6 p.m. of guilt on seven counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 and five counts of Sexual Assault. Both cases had been consolidated or joined for purposes of trial. The defense has asked the judge to sentence him and that hearing will be scheduled following a presentence investigation the defense requested. The State will be arguing for the maximum sentences allowed by law. The defendant remains in the Upshur County Jail.
The case was investigated by the Upshur County Sheriff's Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant District Attorneys Michael Northcutt and Barry Wallace. The defendant hired counsel from the Sinclair Law Firm in Tyler, Texas to represent him. The case was presided over by District Judge Dean Fowler, who will also assess punishment.
