Forensic DNA leads to arrest of Tyler man for sexually assaulting child

TYLER, Texas (KETK)-- Forensic DNA led to the arrest of a Tyler man on Monday for sexually assaulting a 10-year-old in July, a Smith County affidavit says.

On July 1, the Smith County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of a 10-year-old girl who had been sexually assaulted by Felix Ponce at a home in Tyler. Once deputies met with the victim and mother, the child was soon transported to a local hospital for examination.

At the hospital, deputies spoke with the mother of the victim, who explained that while at work, she looked at surveillance footage from inside the residence but could not locate Ponce or the victim. Another child at the house said the victim was "locked in the bedroom" with Ponce.

Arrest documents revealed that the victim said that while in the room, Ponce had sexuall