Charles Nelson, 57, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after a Tarrant County jury found him guilty of aggravated assault against a family member, a conviction prosecutors say stems from days of escalating violence that ended in a stabbing on Dec. 10, 2022. According to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, the victim was ultimately able to escape and run to neighbors for help.
In a post on X, the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office publicly thanked its partner agencies and wrote, “Thanks to the Arlington Police Department.” The office also credited the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service for assisting in the case and noted that the 25-year sentence was imposed today by a Tarrant County court.
Thanks to the Arlington Police Department, St. Louis County Sheriff's Office, and the United States Marshals Service for their work on this case and for their commitment to keeping our community safe. pic.twitter.com/6X7k2P7FVH
— Tarrant County DA (@TarrantCountyDA) March 17, 2026
Case details
According to the DA’s announcement, prosecutors presented evidence that Nelson assaulted the victim multiple times over several days, with the violence culminating in the December 2022 stabbing that caused serious bodily injury. The office identified investigator Kristina Gonzalez and assistant district attorneys Chase Payne and Morgan Blair as members of the prosecution team and listed Clara Salvatierra as the victim coordinator.
What the law allows
Under Texas Penal Code §22.02, aggravated assault covers conduct that causes serious bodily injury or that involves the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon. The offense is generally a second-degree felony, but it is elevated to a first-degree felony when a deadly weapon causes serious bodily injury to a family member. The statute sets punishment at two to 20 years for a second-degree conviction and five to 99 years or life for a first-degree conviction, a range prosecutors cited in underscoring the seriousness of the injuries in this case. Texas Penal Code §22.02
Victim support and next steps
The DA’s office highlighted the role of a victim coordinator in its announcement, and local resources remain available to help survivors with next steps, including protective orders and compensation applications. The Fort Worth Police Department’s victim assistance page lists contact information for the DA’s Victim Assistance unit along with other local hotlines and services for survivors of violent crime. Fort Worth Police Victim Assistance
