China Spring man arrested, accused of molesting girl, 13 China Spring man arrested, accused of molesting girl, 13

police report

A man was arrested this weekend after Crawford police began investigating claims that a 13-year-old girl was sexually abused by him at least four times at a China Spring-area home, according to the arrest affidavit.

Benjamin Gordon Loughridge, 36, of China Spring, was arrested Saturday after the girl told a neighbor that Loughridge had sent her "inappropriate text messages" and gotten in bed with her in his China Spring home, the arrest affadvit states.

During a forensic interview, the girl said Loughridge had sent her "inappropriate text messages," laid in bed with her, sexually touched her and kissed her back and neck, the arrest affadvit states.

According to the arrest affadvit, the abuse happened at least four times while Loughridge was living at a residence near China Spring, but the girl was unable to give an exact date.

Crawford police arrested Loughridge on four second-degree felony charges of indecency with a child. He remained in McLennan County Jail on Tuesday with a bond listed at $80,000.

Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.