hardin county – A 50-year-old man is in the Hardin County Jail on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child after Lumberton police arrested him in a 2009 child abuse case.

Adam Brooks of The Brooks Report Live first reported on the arrest.

Jeremy Ryan Smith of Angleton was jailed in Brazoria County after his arraignment last week, and Lumberton police took him into custody Wednesday and transported him to the Hardin County Jail.

Police Chief Danny Sullins says the case began in 2009 when Lumberton officers responded to a call that a six-week-old baby had been sexually assaulted at a residence. A suspect was discovered during the investigation.

Sullins says detectives worked tirelessly on the case, but were unable to develop enough probable cause to make an arrest. Lt. Joey Breaux led the investigation.

“The detectives worked very hard, following leads and gathering a lot of evidence,” says Sullins. “This case has been on LPD’s mind for years.”

Lt. Breaux died three years ago after a courageous battle with cancer. Sergeant Chad Wilson began investigating the case, speaking with witnesses and officers who responded to the scene. New evidence emerged and the case was presented to the Hardin County Prosecutor’s Office. On Thursday, October 24, the grand jury indicted Smith for aggravated sexual assault of a child. If convicted of the first-degree felony, he could face life in prison.

Lumberton police and the Texas Rangers arrested Smith in Angleton and booked him into the Brazoria County Jail.

Lumberton officers transported him back to Hardin County, where he was handcuffed by Lt. Joey Breaux.

He was arraigned by Justice of the Peace Melissa Minton, who set bail at $1 million.

This case was investigated by the Lumberton Police Department, Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Texas Rangers, Hardin County District Attorney’s Office, Beaumont Police Department and the United States Secret Service.