Harris County deputy Alexander Cowley freed on bond after accused of abusing 13-year-old
Court records obtained by KPRC 2 News detail how Cowley allegedly instructed the victim to deny the abuse and threatened self-harm to maintain silence.
By Alyssa Parker ·
Alexander Cowley, a 40-year-old deputy with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, was released from jail this week after posting a $200,000 bond. Cowley faces a continuous sexual abuse of a child charge related to the alleged abuse of a girl who was 13 years old at the time. The arrest occurred last week, and the deputy remains on administrative leave while a Texas Rangers investigation proceeds.
Newly obtained court records provide specific details on the methods Cowley allegedly used to keep the victim silent for years. The affidavit states the abuse began in the summer of 2016 and continued over several months. According to the documents, Cowley coached the girl on what to say if authorities discovered the abuse. He allegedly instructed her to deny everything, mirroring his own planned defense, and asserted that a mutual denial would prevent a case from forming against him.
The records also list specific threats Cowley made regarding his potential imprisonment. He allegedly told the victim he would never go to jail. If he did, the affidavit says he told her he would either commit suicide by cop, kill himself in prison, or flee to England. The victim told investigators she remained quiet for years out of fear that losing the deputy would result in him harming himself.
Cowley served as an 11-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office before his arrest. His assignment was to the Crisis Intervention Response Team, a program that pairs deputies with mental health clinicians to assist individuals experiencing serious mental health crises. KPRC 2 News reporter Corley Peel reached Cowley by phone following the release of the records. Cowley answered the call but declined to provide a statement.
Bob Sanborn, President and CEO of the organization Children at Risk, commented on the tactics described in the affidavit. Sanborn noted that using the threat of self-harm is a recognized strategy abusers employ to silence victims. He explained that abusers often identify what feels like a threat to a young person and exploit it. In this instance, the threat of suicide or bodily harm was used to ensure the victim stayed quiet.
Sanborn emphasized the impact of abuse involving authority figures. He stated that children are conditioned to trust individuals in positions of power, such as teachers or sheriffs. When those figures abuse that trust, the betrayal is particularly damaging. Sanborn described the situation as reprehensible because it breaks the fundamental expectation of safety children place in officials.
Parents are encouraged to watch for specific behavioral changes in their children. Sanborn identified withdrawal, unusual silence, a drop in academic performance, and bedwetting as warning signs. He also highlighted the danger of adults who try to create secretive bonds with children. Common tactics include expressing excessive affection and establishing rules that keep certain interactions between the adult and child private.
Sanborn advised parents to maintain open lines of communication with their children. This allows children to ask if their experiences are normal without fear of judgment. He recommended teaching children a simple rule: if an adult asks them to keep a secret, they should tell a parent immediately. Sanborn noted that while exceptions exist, such as hiding a birthday gift, most secrets requested by adults warrant immediate parental involvement.
Most cases of child sexual abuse involve someone known to the victim rather than a stranger. Sanborn pointed out that while public attention often focuses on trafficking or kidnapping, unusual relationships with known adults are a primary area of concern. The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline provides support at 1-800-422-4453. Cowley remains on administrative leave from the sheriff's office as the investigation continues.
Cowley’s bond hearing took place after his arrest last week. The Texas Rangers are currently leading the investigation into the continuous abuse alleged to have started in 2016. The victim, now an adult, recently came forward to report the abuse. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has not announced a final decision on Cowley’s employment status beyond his current administrative leave.
