AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) — An Amarillo man has been arrested and charged with multiple felony offenses related to the sexual abuse of a child.
Dwight David Merrell, 42, was taken into custody on Tuesday, Sept. 2, following the filing of a formal complaint with the 181st District Court and the issuance of an arrest warrant.
Merrell is facing one charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years in prison, and three counts of indecency with a child involving sexual contact, each a second-degree felony carrying sentences of 2 to 20 years if convicted.
Former employees of Trinity Fellowship Church confirmed that Merrell worked earlier this year as a special education teacher in the church’s children’s ministry. However, the church has not publicly confirmed employment details.
When contacted, H. Kurt Vogeler, Trinity Fellowship’s Director of Human Resources, declined to provide information, citing employment privacy policy:
“Work-related information can only be provided if we have a signed authorization to release information from the current and/or previous employee or contractor.”
Merrell also previously worked as a special education teacher for Friona Independent School District (Friona ISD). The district issued a statement acknowledging his past employment but did not release further details.
Merrell is currently held in Randall County Jail, with bond set at $50,000.
NewsChannel10 has reached out to the Randall County District Attorney’s Office for the official complaint, but no response has been received at this time.
The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
