From Law & Crime · · 3m
Army Sergeant Sentenced for Punching Girlfriend's Toddler
Texas Army sergeant Paul Thames admitted beating girlfriend's 3-year-old son on Ring cam and gets 1-year prison sentence.
In brief
Texas Army sergeant Paul Thames admitted beating girlfriend's 3-year-old son on Ring cam and gets 1-year prison sentence. Paul Thames, a 29-year-old Army sergeant, was sentenced to one year in prison and a bad-conduct discharge for punching his girlfriend's toddler on a Ring camera. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Sgt. Paul Thames sentenced
Military Judge Jeremy D. Broussard sentenced 29-year-old Army Sgt. Paul A. Thames to one year in prison and a bad-conduct discharge from the U.S. Army for domestic violence.
Thames admitted 'went overboard'
Thames pleaded guilty to domestic violence during his court-martial and admitted he 'went overboard' while disciplining the child.
Ring camera footage
A neighbor's Ring doorbell camera recorded Thames punching his girlfriend's 3-year-old son at least five times with a closed fist and lifting the child by the neck.
Incident date
The attack occurred on Jan. 16, 2026, when Thames was babysitting his girlfriend's son at her apartment in Waco, Texas.
Thames' military role
Thames is an automated logistics specialist assigned to the 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
Pending child injury charge
Thames faces a separate pending felony charge of injury to a child in Texas, which could lead to up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Waco Police response
Waco police responded to the incident after a neighbor notified them, leading to Thames being taken into custody.
Prosecution statement
Prosecutor Capt. Kristyn Dial stated the case was about holding a Soldier accountable for domestic violence that went far beyond acceptable parental discipline.
Thames' current status
Thames is being held at the Bell County Jail in Belton, Texas, while awaiting transfer to a military confinement facility.
Credit for time served
Thames received credit for 181 days of confinement served before trial.
Court-martial date
Thames' court-martial took place on Oct. 7, 2026, at the Lawrence Williams Judicial Center.
Military discharge
Thames was discharged from the U.S. Army with a bad-conduct discharge after his sentence.
Child abuse details
The Ring footage showed Thames hitting the child at least five times in the torso with a closed fist and lifting him by the head and neck.
Thames' admission
During an interview with a Waco police detective, Thames admitted he 'went overboard' while disciplining the child.
Child's age
The child was 3 years old at the time of the incident.
Location
The incident occurred at The Legend Apartments in Waco, Texas.
Here's the gist
Paul Thames, a 29-year-old Army sergeant, was sentenced to one year in prison and a bad-conduct discharge for punching his girlfriend's toddler on a Ring camera.
