Marshall, Texas: Topher James Stout, 41, a former chemistry teacher at Longview High School pleaded guilty Wednesday, April 28 to charges that he sexually assaulted two children between June 2017 and July 2020. He was given two life sentences.
First Assistant District Attorney Madison Hood spoke after the hearing saying, "The victims' family and I visited multiple times, and in lieu of the victims having to testify, we all agreed this was the best disposition."
"We are pleased with the plea," she continued, "and hope that the victims can continue their healing with the criminal side closed."
Stout was arrested on July 16, 2020 after Longview police responded to a domestic disturbance call at around 2:15 am. According to the caller, Stout was observed sexually assaulting a 12-year-old child. Before officers arrived to the scene Stout fled on foot, but he was soon located and taken into custody.
"The victim stated the offenses happened many, many times over a period of years," the District Attorney's office stated after the arrest. "During additional interviews, at the request of the Longview Police Department, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and our office, it was discovered that the defendant had sexually assaulted other victims as well."
In October, he was indicted by a Harrison County grand jury on four counts of sexual assault of a child, two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of continuous sex abuse of a child under the age of 14.