A federal lawsuit sheds light on allegations against a former San Augustine County deputy accused of sexually assaulting a confidential informant.
The plaintiff claims that in late 2017/early 2018 she was led to believe she had outstanding warrants in Angelina County, and was told by then-Deputy Terry Fountain that if she “helped him” by providing information about crime and drug use in the area that he could help her with said warrants and charges. However, the lawsuit filed in San Augustine County asserts that Fountain’s demands went much farther than just information. The plaintiff has accused Fountain of demanding sexual acts as well as sexually explicit photos.
“Deputy Fountain is a sexual predator of the worst kind, a wolf in sheep’s clothing. He operates under the authority of the badge, but meanwhile has been engaged in a longtime campaign of sexual perversion and proclivity often targeting victims who are already vulnerable either emotionally, financially, or due to their legal situation,” the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit states that the information the plaintiff provided led to “numerous busts” for Fountain, including “the arrest of a San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher who tipping off drug dealers about the location of law enforcement.” The plaintiff also claims that in addition to the sex acts, Fountain demanded that she move to San Augustine County in order to be closer to him.
“[I]t felt like every time Deputy Fountain worked a shift for the Sheriff’s Office he would ask her for sexual favors, sexually explicit images, or to “sext” with her through Facebook messages or on Snapchat. Deputy Fountain would also call [plaintiff] on the phone to engage in sexually explicit conversations,” the lawsuit states. The plaintiff also claims that, via text messages, Fountain specifically stated that “the sheriff knows what I am doing,” referring to Sheriff Robert Cartwright.
Additionally, the plaintiff claims that Fountain would have her buy drugs for him and that he also coerced other acquaintances of hers into performing sex acts on him. The suit states that by January 2023, the plaintiff realized that Fountain had no intention of helping her and that he was instead using her, as she learned that the warrants he told her about were no longer active.
The Texas Rangers began an investigation and on January 19, 2023, Fountain was on a charge of official oppression. On January 17, Fountain was arrested again after being indicted by a San Augustine County grand jury on four counts of sexual assault against three separate women.
Fountain is scheduled to appear before San Augustine County Judge James Payne Jr. on June 18 at 1 p.m. The case is being prosecuted by San Augustine County District Attorney Paul Robbins.