The man accused of killing 7-year-old Athena Strand is also being brought up on unrelated charges of sexual assault against a child dating back to 2013, reported NBC 5 DFW.
Tanner Lynn Horner, 31, is now facing three counts of sexual assault for a child under 17 with bonds of $15,000 for each.
Horner was initially arrested and is being held in county jail on charges of alleged capital murder of a person under 10 and aggravated kidnapping. He was first arrested on December 2.
The additional charges of sexual assault were filed Wednesday in connection with the incidents alleged to have happened nine years ago. According to The Wise County Messenger, it is likely that the victims either live in or the alleged sexual assaults took place in Tarrant County, where the charges were filed.
NBC 5 reportedly obtained information indicating that the alleged sexual assaults occurred on June 1, August 11, and December 6, 2013. Further details about the new charges have yet to be confirmed, including whether these allegations stem from a single or multiple alleged victims coming forward.
In a disturbing revelation previously reported by The Dallas Express, Horner, a delivery driver, allegedly confessed to accidentally hitting Strand with his truck when backing up, putting her in the vehicle, and strangling her after she said she would tell her dad about the accident.
The death of Strand brought thousands of people together, many of whom attended a candlelight vigil.
An Amber Alert was first issued for Strand on December 1, resulting in a massive search and rescue operation. She was found dead just two days later.
According to police, Horner allegedly confessed to the murder and told police where Strand’s body was buried.
Strand’s father filed a lawsuit against FedEx and the contractor Big Topspin, which employed Horner, alleging that FedEx routinely hires employees who have committed sexual assault, rape, and murder, thereby demonstrating the company’s irresponsibility, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Tanner remains in prison on bonds totaling $1,545,000.
These incidents come amid persistent violent crime in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and growing concern among citizens about the safety of local communities.
