Former HPD cop who survived 1993 shooting now accused of sex crime

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Danny Vaughan, once hailed a hero for surviving a gun shot wound to the face while in the line of duty, is now a suspect in a horrific child abuse case.

Vaughan, 57, was arrested by the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office. He's charged with attempt to commit indecency with a child and indecency by exposure, criminal episode. He's the last of four suspects, all accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Brazoria County Sheriff Charles Wagner says a year-long investigation led them to digital evidence that shows Vaughan was involved with a 14-year-old girl. She was the daughter of a man who leased Vaughan's home in Brazoria County.

"During the course of the relationship, Vaughan and the father became comfortable enough to induce the child to touch his genitals and expose his genitals to the child," Sheriff Wagner said.

The girl's father, who has not been identified, has already been sentenced to 50 years behind bars for his involvement. Two others, Amy Gilliam, 37, and Steven Watkins, Jr., 23, friends of the victim's father, have also been charged.

But it is Vaughan's involvement that has those who once applauded him now in shock.

"When something like this takes place where one of us is the suspect in it, the defendant, it's hard on us, it's hard on everybody law enforcement is a great big family," Wagner said.

Vaughan was shot at point blank range by a man who walked into a Houston police substation in 1993. Vaughan, who was shot in the face, wasn't expected to survive. He defied the odds, but he lost his right eye, hearing in his left ear, and is partially paralyzed on one side.