Suspect Jailed After 10-Year-Old Reports Being Assaulted

SAN ANGELO, TX – 20-year-old San Angelo man has been jailed in Tom Green County for assaulting a 10-year-old.

According to court documents, on Feb. 7 at 7:06 p.m., John Warner Linden, 20, who is known as JW, was booked into the Tom Green County Jail for aggravated sexual assault of a child.

The investigation into Linden's alleged actions began on Dec. 13, 2021, after a child made an outcry that she had been sexually assaulted by Linden. The child claimed at the time of the assaults she was 10 and Linden was 17. 

Deputies with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office traveled Breckenridge in Stephens County on Jan. 5. During their time there, the deputies, met with Linden who was incarcerated in the Stephens County Jail on unrelated charges.

During their interview, Linden admitted to deputies that in Oct. 2019, sometime before Halloween, he assaulted the child.

Following their interview, Linden was charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child. He now sits in the Tom Green County Detention Facility with a $150,000 bond.

If convicted Linden could face up to 99 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Update: The name of the defendant is John Warner Linden. The family calls him "J.W." The story is updated to reflect this.