Man charged with child grooming under new Texas law
A first for Bowie County
TEXARKANA, Texas — A local man arrested earlier this month has been charged with two felony counts of child grooming, according to Bowie County court records.
Matthew Lynn Riddle, 35, of Texarkana, Texas, has been released from jail after posting a $200,000 bond, according to jail records. One charge was filed on March 15 and March 18, according to court records.
Riddle was arrested March 12 by the Texarkana Texas Police Department. The arrest was a first in Bowie County under the offense.
In Texas, child grooming is a third-degree felony, punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000.
Riddle had access to the girls through his wife, who coached them at Arkansas High School, according to probable cause affidavits. Riddle was also giving the girls batting lessons, according to the affidavits.
The messages were sent between Dec. 3, 2023 and Jan. 15, according to the affidavits.
Riddle sent the girls Tiktok videos with sexually suggestive images and song lyrics and made references to the girls’ bodies and the length of their shorts, according to the affidavits.
“All these messages reveal that Riddle is looking at her more than as a student of his hitting lessons. He is relaying to her that he is seeing her body and is desiring to see more of her body,” the affidavit stated.
According to an affidavit filed March 18, Riddle invited a 14-year-old girl to his “small home gym” so he could help “tone” her buttocks, according to the affidavit. Riddle allegedly complimented the girl on her body a number of times and made a reference about her boyfriend possibly becoming angry because of the remarks.
“Don’t left your BF get mad at ya for me talking about your butt lol,” Riddle wrote, according to the affidavit.
“Riddle is messaging a 14-year-old female about her buttocks. This technique is used by pedophiles to flatter victims and to let the victim know she is being objectified,” the affidavit stated. “This type of behavior is skillful manipulation that pedophiles use to gain the trust of minors.”
The child grooming felony law went into effect in September 2023. It is intended to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, and to prevent adults from developing connections with children for the purpose of sexual abuse or trafficking.
The case has been assigned to 202nd District Judge John Tidwell. Riddle is represented by the Bowie County Public Defender’s Office, according to court records.