Madison County, Texas—A correctional officer assigned to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Ferguson Unit has been arrested on a first-degree felony charge following an investigation into the sexual abuse of a child.
On December 14, 2025, investigators with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office initiated an investigation after receiving a report of an outcry by a child under the age of 14. This inquiry led to an arrest warrant for Kenneth Downs Shelton, 56, a resident of Midway, Texas.
Details of the Arrest
Shelton was taken into custody at the Ferguson Unit on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, without incident. The arrest was facilitated through the cooperation of:
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Roger Boyd, Ferguson Unit Warden
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The Office of the Inspector General (OIG)
Following his arrest, Shelton was transported to the Madison County Jail. Justice of the Peace Jon Stevens set his bond at $100,000.
Legal Severity of the Charge
The charge of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child is one of the most serious offenses under the Texas Penal Code.
Classified as a "super aggravated" first-degree felony, a conviction for this offense typically carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years and a maximum of 99 years or life in prison. In Texas, individuals convicted under this statute are generally ineligible for parole.
Legal Disclaimer: Kenneth Downs Shelton is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To protect the privacy of the child involved, officials have stated that no additional information will be released at this time.
