FORT WORTH -- A 38-year-old local theater actor was sentenced to seven years in prison last week after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting an underage girl who he met through a theater group.
Officials say Randall Sarver, 38, of Hurst met the victim in fall 2010 and fostered a relationship with the girl that turned into a sexual relationship by that December. The girl was 14."The defendant took a pastime that should have been fun and enjoyable for the victim and used it to develop an inappropriate relationship," said Tarrant County prosecutor Kacey Fickes. "After considering all of the available evidence and consulting with the victim's family, we felt this was an appropriate resolution to the case."The Tarrant County Sheriff's Department began investigating the case in August 2011 after the girl's mother came home one day and caught Sarver and her daughter together, Chief Deputy Mike Simonds said. Sarver was arrested the next month on suspicion of indecency with a child and released on bond.The victim later told a forensic interviewer that Sarver had taken nude photographs of her with props.In February, a Tarrant County grand jury indicted Sarver on eight counts of sexual assault of a child under age 17, a second-degree felony.Sarver was free on bond when he was spotted in Oklahoma in June at the victim's school.A school official had observed Sarver standing outside his car on school property wearing latex gloves, holding a drill and making signs. When questioned, a nervous and shaky Sarver replied that he just needed a place to work and would only be a minute, according to court documents.A short time later, however, the school official was alerted that Sarver had approached a female student, identifying himself as the victim's father. The student notified a teacher, and the school was placed on lockdown.School officials found 10 signs lining the school's driveway with messages of adoration for the victim, the documents state.Oklahoma law enforcement officials later found Sarver in his car and detained him. He was later arrested for breaking the conditions of his bond, which prohibited him from having contact with the victim.A search of Sarver's car revealed hand-drawn maps to the girl's school, condoms and sign-making materials, documents state.On Sept. 5, Sarver pleaded guilty in exchange for a seven-year prison sentence, court documents show. He remained Wednesday in the Tarrant County Jail, awaiting transfer to prison.On the social networking site My Life, Sarver describes himself as a computer programming consultant who works in radio and professional theater.Sarver's attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.Deanna Boyd, 817-390-7655Twitter: @deannaboydHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
