ATHENS, TX — A 35-year-old man described as a "family member" to his victim will spend the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced for the horrific sexual abuse of a child. Ashton Todd Salsman received two life sentences last week in Henderson County’s 392nd District Court.
The sentence, handed down by Judge R. Scott McKee, follows a sprawling investigation that uncovered additional victims across two states.
The Investigation: A 9-Year-Old's Outcry
The case began in May 2024 when the mother of a 9-year-old child reported an "outcry" of abuse to local law enforcement. The child was interviewed at Maggie’s House, a specialized facility at the Henderson County Children’s Advocacy Center, where they provided detailed information about being sexually abused by Salsman over several months.
During a subsequent interview with the Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force, Salsman reportedly confessed to the abuse.
Multiple Victims Across State Lines
As the investigation deepened, the Task Force and the District Attorney’s Office discovered that the 9-year-old was not Salsman's only victim. Cooperative efforts between Texas and Oklahoma agencies identified more children who had been harmed by Salsman:
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Texas Jurisdictions: Investigators worked with the Fannin County District Attorney’s Office to address crimes committed in that region.
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Oklahoma Jurisdictions: The Shawnee Police Department and the Pottawatomie District Attorney’s Office provided critical evidence regarding victims in Oklahoma.
"I cannot emphasize enough how vital our Henderson County Crimes Against Children Task Force is to providing a complete investigation," said District Attorney Jenny Palmer. "Without their follow-up, many victims' voices would go unheard."
Lifetime Protection for Victims
In a rare and significant move, Judge McKee issued lifetime protective orders for the victims. These orders legally bar Salsman from ever attempting to contact them, even while he serves his life sentences in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
During the emotional sentencing hearing, representatives from the District Attorney’s Office Crime Victim Assistance and The Help Center were present to support the young victims and their families.
What's Next
While Salsman has been sentenced to life in Texas, he is not finished with the legal system. Authorities confirmed that he now faces additional criminal charges out of state, likely stemming from the victims identified in Oklahoma during the multi-agency probe.
