Maypearl police chief arrested for sexual assault of a child

Photo courtesy Ellis County Sheriff's Office.

Maypearl Police Chief Kevin Coffey was arrested by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office on July 22, 2015 on four felony arrest warrants, including sexual assault of a child.

MAYPEARL — Maypearl Police Chief Kevin Michael Coffey, 49, was arrested by the Ellis County Sheriff's Office Wednesday afternoon after turning himself in on four felony arrest warrants relating to sexual assault of a child.

The arrest warrants include: Indecency with a Child by Exposure, Indecency with a Child by Contact, Sexual Performance by a Child and Sexual Assault of a Child. The first charge is a third degree felony and the remaining three charges are second degree felonies.

Bonds were set Thursday morning and amount to $350,000 combined. The bond for Indecency with a Child by Exposure was set at $50,000. Bonds for the other three charges, Indecency with a Child by Contact; Sexual Performance by a Child; and Sexual Assault of a Child, were set at $100,000 each.

As of press time, bonds have not been set and Coffey remains in custody at the Wayne McCollum Detention Center.

Coffey had been under investigation by the Texas Rangers and Texas Attorney General's Office for for Official Oppression, Misuse of Official Information, Online Solicitation of a Minor, Stalking, Harassment and Tampering with Evidence after a 16-year-old girl had informed Texas Ranger Adam Sweaney of contact with Coffey for the past two years.

The underage girl also told Sweaney that she believes Coffey may have been in contact with at least five other juvenile females.

Following the execution of search warrants two weekends ago at Coffey's home and office, the City of Maypearl placed Coffey on paid administrative leave. The City of Maypearl released a statement at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesday indicating Coffey has been terminated as police chief.

"The City of Maypearl is required to follow a very specific process in all disciplinary matters. On the advice of Counsel, the City is following this process. As of July 22, 2015 Kevin Coffey is no longer the Police Chief," the statement read.

Click here to read our past coverage, including a link to the original search warrant affidavit that resulted in the confiscation of a number of electronic devices from Coffey's home and office.