Accused Child Sexual Predator Michael Webb Found Guilty Of Kidnapping
FORT WORTH, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - It took a little more than ten minutes Wednesday for a federal jury to find Michael Webb guilty of a brazen kidnapping in Fort Worth.
The quick verdict followed testimony from a sexual assault nurse examiner, and Webb's own interview with the FBI following his arrest, that detailed the assault that occurred after he grabbed the 8-year-old in May.
U.S. Attorney Erin Nealy Cox said after the verdict that the assault evidence was necessary, in order to show Webb's purpose for the crime.
Michael Webb mugshot (Credit: Fort Worth Police Department)"I think this is every parent's worst nightmare, to be with their child, and have their child ripped from their arms," she said.
Webb was not in the courtroom for the verdict, after telling a judge Tuesday he didn't want to be there.
In the portions of Webb's interview shown to the jury Wednesday, he originally told investigators that someone named Nick, had promised to pay him $1,000 to abduct and assault the girl.
He later admitted that the story wasn't true. He also said he knew he was going to be caught, after realizing a witness had likely seen the kidnapping, and that cameras at the hotel where he was staying would also capture him with the girl.
Judge Reed O'Connor will sentence Webb at a later date, where he faces anywhere from 20 years to life in prison. Nealy Cox said her office would be seeking the maximum sentence.
Webb also faces kidnapping and sexual assault charges in Tarrant County for the same case. The district attorney's office was not able to comment on the federal verdict Wednesday, because the local case is still pending.
