A former officer with the Killen Police Department has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to serious sex crimes involving both adults and minors. Jarrod Gailen Webster received his sentence during a court hearing held in Huntsville on Wednesday. In March, he admitted guilt to charges that included one count of sexual exploitation of children and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
The U.S. Department of Justice reported that Webster confessed to violating a woman’s civil rights during a traffic stop on November 12, 2023. After pulling the woman over, he ordered her to exit her vehicle and inquired about her intentions regarding the situation. Following her refusal to comply with his demands, Webster handcuffed her and proceeded to sexually assault her. In her victim impact statement, the woman expressed how Webster’s actions have drastically altered her life, leaving her to confront daily struggles. She revealed that her trust in others has been shattered, and she now feels unsafe even within her own home.
In addition to the assault on the adult victim, the DOJ indicated that Webster also engaged in inappropriate communications with a minor between June 2016 and October 2018. He solicited sexual images from the young girl, who complied with his requests and sent him several photographs, including at least one that contained evidence of child sexual abuse. During the court proceedings on Wednesday, this victim recounted her first encounter with Webster when she was just 15 years old. She described herself as an outsider, someone who felt invisible to those around her, except for Webster. Now, as she embarks on a career in law enforcement, she is determined to protect others from falling victim to the same deceit she experienced.
In a courtroom filled with tension, the judge condemned Webster as a disgrace to the law enforcement community. While serving his sentence, Webster claims to have found God and expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he is now repentant for his sins.