A former law enforcement officer in East Texas has pleaded guilty to serious charges involving the sexual assault of a confidential informant. The accused, Terry Lynn Fountain, aged 56 and from Center, Texas, has worked with several police departments and sheriff’s offices over his career — but now finds himself at the centre of a troubling legal case.
A Career Across Several Texas Counties
According to the Lufkin Daily News, Fountain has served in law enforcement since the early 2000s. His past roles include working with the:
- San Augustine Police Department (2001–2002)
- Angelina County Sheriff’s Office (2006–2014)
- Corrigan Police Department (2015)
- Sabine County Sheriff’s Office (2016)
His most recent and longest service was with the San Augustine County Sheriff’s Office, from 2017 to 2023, and earlier from 2002 to 2006. Unfortunately, it was during his most recent tenure that his criminal actions came to light.
Abuse of Power: Assault of a Confidential Informant
Fountain was working as a deputy when he allegedly coerced a female informant into sexual acts, promising to have her criminal charges dropped in Sabine County. This abuse of power has led to him facing four counts of second-degree felony sexual assault, to which he has pleaded guilty.
Legal Action and County Involvement
The woman later filed a lawsuit against Fountain, as well as San Augustine County and Sheriff Robert Cartwright. The lawsuit claims that the sheriff and county officials knew about Fountain’s misconduct but did not take action. It also accuses the county of having a history of corruption in law enforcement and failing to properly train or supervise officers.
Court Decision: Probation, Not Prison
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Fountain was sentenced to 10 years of deferred adjudication probation. This means he avoids prison time for now, but if he violates the terms of his probation, he could be sentenced to jail later.
The court’s decision has sparked discussions around accountability within law enforcement and the protection of vulnerable individuals who work with police as informants.