Man, 73, charged with molesting 5-year-old girl

HOUSTON – A 73-year-old Huffman man is charged with molesting a 5-year-old girl, and he allegedly threatened a Houston television news crew with a pistol Thursday when they went to his house to ask for an interview.

Larry Allen Ricketts is charged with super aggravated sexual assault of a child. He allegedly molested the daughter of a family friend last December.

According to court documents, the girl made an outcry Jan. 1, telling her mother that, "Larry touched my privates."

Ricketts was arrested Wednesday and released after posting $30,000 bond. A Houston television news crew went to his home at 263 Blue Lake Drive in Huffman around noon. The reporter and photographer were standing at the front door when Ricketts allegedly pointed a silver pistol at them. They left immediately. Neither was hurt.

Local 2 News later attempted to contact Ricketts by phone. A woman who identified herself as his wife answered, but hung up as soon as she learned who was calling.

Ricketts' 45-year-old son of the same name made headlines four years ago when he confessed to the murder of 53-year-old Becky Hamilton.

Hamilton was last seen alive leaving a Huffman sports bar on New Year's Eve in 2010. Her nude body was discovered eight days later stuffed in a foot locker abandoned in a field near Bush Intercontinental Airport. The image of a castle had been carved in her back.

The younger Ricketts was photographed using one of her credit cards at an auto parts store shortly after she was killed. He plead guilty to her murder and was sentenced to 40 years in prison. At the time he was on parole and had a long criminal history, including arrests for indecency with a child, burglary, rape and assault.

The elder Ricketts faces up to life in prison without parole if he is convicted.