The young victim claims the 73-year-old suspect who touched her told her to keep it a secret. When KTRK-TV saw him Thursday, he made it clear he didn't want to talk about the allegations.
His name is Harry Allen Ricketts, and he is now facing charges for allegedly molesting a 5-year-old girl. Investigators say that child made her mom aware of the alleged assault last month, just days after a visit to Ricketts' home on Blue Lake Drive in Huffman, Texas.
KTRK-TV learned Ricketts bonded out of jail Thursday morning, so just as with any crime they cover, they attempted to get his side of the story.
"Pardon me, is Mr. Ricketts available?" reporter Demond Fernandez asked when he went to the home.
"That's me," he answered.
"Hey, Mr. Ricketts, I'm..."
Ricketts interrupted, saying, "Turn that (expletive) camera off."
"Just want to find out what you have to say about these charges against you."
Ricketts wasn't happy to see the TV crew at all. Fernandez wanted to talk to Ricketts because a 45-year-old longtime sex offender with the same name has a listed address next door to the man. The DA's office says the younger Ricketts is now serving a 40-year prison sentence linked to the 2010 murder of Becky Hamilton, a Lake Houston marina worker.
Within moments of the elderly man answering the door, he immediately grabbed a gun and pointed it toward Fernandez and his photographer.
"We're leaving. We're leaving," they said.
"Get off of my property. I don't know who in the (expletive) you all think you are."
Ricketts was charged with aggravated assault for pulling the gun on the KTRK crew.
