Midlothian child predator gets life sentence

WAXAHACHIE – Matthew Allred, 34, of Midlothian was convicted and sentenced life in prison by a jury.

Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery stated he was sentenced for the offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony with a punishment range of 5-99 years, or life, in prison.

Because the jury determined Allred had previously been convicted of a sexual offense, his punishment range was enhanced to an automatic life sentence in prison.

In 2020, Allred sexually assaulted his girlfriend’s seven-year-old daughter in his mother’s home in Midlothian.

The now 10-year-old child victim took the witness stand last week in court and testified about the details of the sexual abuse and the trauma it caused her.

Additionally, the jury heard from the forensic interviewer who explained the child told her Allred had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions in 2020.

The jury also learned the child was not Allred’s only victim. A 29-year-old woman testified that when she was a little girl, Allred sexually abused her as well.

The jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for about an hour.

During the punishment phase of trial, the jury heard that Allred was previously convicted in Ellis County in 2007 of indecency with a child, which stemmed from the sexual abuse of the 29-year-old woman.

He served a 12-year prison sentence for that offense. After Allred was released from prison, he committed a new felony in Dallas County by failing to register as a sex offender. He was placed on community supervision for the offense.

He was on community supervision when he committed the aggravated sexual assault of the child in this case.

The jury returned a sentence of life in prison. Allred will be eligible for parole after serving 30-years of his sentence.

After sentencing, Ann Montgomery stated, “In the face of her abuser and a courtroom of adults, a ten-year-old child stood firm and truthfully testified to the horrors that she experienced. Additionally, an adult woman had to relive the memories of her own abuse.

“My office is proud to stand beside these brave survivors.”

Assistant County and District Attorneys Marina Thomas and Sherry Roeder prosecuted the case, assisted by County and District Attorney Investigator, Todd Woodruff and Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, Jamie Morales.

The case was investigated by Ellis County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dennis Clay. Ellis County Children’s Advocacy Center Clinical Director Kineta Holsworth also provided expert testimony at trial.