Flash Staff Report
STEPHENVILLE (May 14, 2018) – Stephenville Police Chief Jason King is asking any other potential victims of a local attorney to come forward following the arrest of James Keene Monday afternoon.
According to District Attorney Alan Nash, Keene, a local attorney, was arrested on Monday, May 14, for criminal attempt – compelling prostitution, a third-degree felony. He was booked into the Erath County Jail and was still held there as of 10 p.m. Monday night. According to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Flash, Keene was taken into custody following the outcry of a local woman to Stephenville Police.
The affidavit states, “on Friday, Jane (a pseudonym) met with the criminal investigation division of the Stephenville Police Department” and claimed “James Keene, attorney, who represents her on several criminal legal matters as both attorney and bondsman. Jane complained that James Keene has attempted by threat to compel her to prostitute herself.”
The affidavit goes on to say on April 23, 2018, Keene came to her home in Stephenville to discuss pending criminal charges. She told investigators during the course of the conversation Keene complained she had not paid her legal fees and had committed act for which her bond could be revoked. The woman reported Keene then requested multiple times for her to have sex with him.
“James Keene indicated that he would no longer ‘put up’ with Jane, if she did not have sexual intercourse with him,” the report stated. “During the interview, Jane indicated that she felt threatened by the actions of James Keene and felt he was in a position of power over her. She also indicated that she did not want to have sexual intercourse with Keene at any time.”
Investigators also have cell phone recordings of the interaction which the woman reported. In the recording, the woman can be heard calling the male “James Keene” several times and the male voice responding. The court official making the affidavit reported he recognize Keene’s voice based on the fact that the official, “has dealt several times in person with James Keene and is aware of his unique tone and manner of speech. Based on this knowledge, it is believed to be the male voice of James Keene.”
After an investigation by both the Stephenville PD and the district attorney’s office, Keene was taken into custody and charged for the crime. According to the arrest affidavit, “on or about April 23, 2018, James Keene, did then and there, with the specific intent to commit the offense of compelling prostitution of a female do an act, to-wit: ‘threatening to cease acting as attorney and bondsman for the subject if she did not have sexual intercourse with James Keene, which amounted to more than mere preparation that tended but failed to effect the commission of the offense intended.”
“Any and all members of the court are held to a high standard of honesty and integrity, attorneys included,” District Attorney Alan Nash said Monday evening. “Mr. Keene has violated those standards and he will be held accountable.”
Stephenville Police Chief King said investigators are asking anyone with similar reports contact Stephenville PD at 254-918-1273 or the District Attorney’s Office at 254-965-1462.
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