Man indicted on four counts of indecency with a child

The Jefferson County Grand Jury has indicted a man on four counts of indecency with a child. The indictments against the suspect stem from what investigators say was his inappropriate touching of the same child four times in a two month period.

Police in Groves say 37 year old Douglas Wilmer Rivera was a friend of the child's family. He's charged with four counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.

Law enforcement officers in Groves and the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office began investigating the case in December and they're not finished gathering evidence.

Police say indictments stem from allegations Rivera inappropriately touched the child once last October and three times in November. According to officers the first time was after the Mid-County Madness football game. They say Rivera came to Port Neches Park after the football game and touched the child there.

They say he befriended the girl's family and gained her parents' trust. Officers tell KFDM they were contacted after the girl confided in a family member in December.

Police say when a child speaks up about sexual abuse, parents should report it right away, and let authorities determine if the allegations are valid. Police say this is the first time Rivera has been charged with a crime. The charges are all second degree felonies. If convicted, he could face two to 20 years in prison and up to a ten thousand dollar fine on each count.

Officers tell KFDM the child has a lot of support through her church and family. She is also receiving counseling from the Garth House.