ATHENS, TX — A 31-year-old Athens man will spend the next several decades in prison following a guilty plea in a case involving two victims from different decades. Dwight Hugh Fitzpatrick was sentenced on Friday, April 17, 2026, to two 40-year terms for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child in the 392nd District Court.
The sentences, handed down by Judge Scott McKee, were the result of a coordinated investigation between the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the local Crimes Against Children Task Force.
A Community and Family Effort
The case began in February 2024 when a young girl disclosed the abuse to both her maternal and paternal grandmothers. Acting swiftly, the family took the child to Maggie’s House Children’s Advocacy Center, where a forensic interview provided investigators with the evidence needed to move forward.
The courtroom was filled with the victim's supporters, many of whom wore pink—the child's favorite color—to symbolize their solidarity.
“We worked closely with the family of the young victim to ensure her needs were our first priority,” said District Attorney Jenny Palmer. “Members of her family expressed their gratitude that she did not have to testify.”
Uncovering a Cold Case
While investigating the initial outcry, Task Force Investigator Meagan Hogan identified a second victim, an incarcerated woman, who reported that Fitzpatrick had also abused her more than ten years prior. Fitzpatrick ultimately pleaded guilty to charges involving both the young child and the cold-case victim.
Lifetime Protection
As part of the plea agreement, the court granted both victims lifetime protective orders. These orders strictly prohibit Fitzpatrick from attempting to contact either survivor from prison, providing a permanent legal shield for those he harmed.
DA Palmer credited the meticulous work of Investigator Hogan for securing the guilty plea, which spared the young child the further trauma of a public trial.
