WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 12, 2025 — In a unanimous ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, ensuring convicted child sexual abuser Danny Richard Rivers Jr. will remain in prison. The Court rejected Rivers’ attempt to challenge his state conviction through a second federal habeas corpus petition, emphasizing that “Congress chose to promote finality” in such cases.
“This is a great win for Texas and the rest of America,” said Paxton, following the ruling. “It makes it harder for prisoners to weaponize federal courts to attack their state convictions. Rivers was convicted of unbelievably heinous sexual abuse of his own children, and he will face the consequences of his actions.”
Background: The 2012 Conviction
Rivers, now in his early 40s, was convicted in February 2012 in Wichita Falls on six felony counts related to the prolonged sexual abuse of his two daughters, both under the age of 17. He was sentenced by Judge Bob Brotherton to a total of 42 years in prison, with the first 34 years required to be served consecutively.
The charges included:
- Sexual Abuse of a Child (Continuous) – 30 years
- Indecency With a Child (Sexual Contact) – 3 years
- Indecency With a Child (Sexual Contact) – 3 years
- Indecency With a Child (Exposure) – 2 years
- Possession of Child Pornography – 2 years
- Possession of Child Pornography – 2 years
The last two counts were set to run concurrently.
According to arrest affidavits and courtroom testimony, the Wichita Falls Police Department began investigating Rivers in November 2009, after disturbing disclosures from the victims. Investigators found that Rivers had abused one child more than 100 times, and the second between 20 and 50 times. Evidence gathered from a search of his home supported the children’s accounts.
Emotional Trial Gripped Wichita Falls
The trial, covered closely by NewsChannel 6, began on February 14, 2012, and was marked by intense and emotional testimony. The young victims courageously shared details of their abuse on the stand. Witnesses included medical professionals, forensic interviewers, and even a longtime friend of Rivers who testified about Rivers’ disturbing behavior.
Despite the Defense calling a family member to dispute timelines, the jury returned a guilty verdict on all six counts on February 21. The sentencing phase included impact statements from the victims’ family. Prosecutor John Gillespie praised the outcome, saying, “They [the jury] took a child predator… out of our community and basically threw away the key.”
A family member read a victim impact statement on behalf of the children, stating they would live with the trauma for the rest of their lives.
Supreme Court Challenge Rejected
Years after his conviction, Rivers attempted to exploit federal legal procedures by filing a second habeas petition, claiming his first did not count because an appeal was still pending. The Supreme Court, however, unanimously rejected this view. In the Court’s opinion, the justices emphasized that legal finality must be respected to prevent endless litigation.
Rivers has not testified in any proceeding since the initial trial. His daughters have not made any public statements as adults, and their current status remains private for their protection.
To read the full Supreme Court opinion, [click here].
To view Texas’s legal brief, [click here].
