Houston-based social media influencer “Kandy Red Bread” made his first appearance in a Montgomery County courtroom Wednesday morning, facing felony child sexual abuse charges that have sparked outrage—and renewed calls for harsher punishment under Texas law.
Victor Paillet, 40, hid his face during the hearing before Montgomery County District 9 Judge Phil Grant.
Recommended Videos
OUR FIRST REPORT: Houston-area custom car influencer ‘Kandy Red Bread’ arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting toddler on video
Grizzy’s Hood News was in the courtroom, recording Paillet as he tried to hide his face. She posted the footage on Facebook.
Paillet is charged with first-degree aggravated sexual assault of a child and promotion of child pornography. He remains in custody without bond.
Known online as “Kandy Red Bread,” Paillet built a large social media following in Houston’s custom car scene.
His Instagram account had more than 62,000 followers at the time of his arrest. He frequently showcased customized vehicles featuring Houston-style “slabs,” candy paint and swangas, and had been photographed with influential figures in the music, media and car industries.
Days after his arrest on Jan. 16, jail officials confirmed to KPRC 2’s Corley Peel that Paillet had been placed on “modified safety watch.”
Houston-based civil rights activists Candice Matthews and Quanell X were present inside the courtroom, speaking with Grizzy after the proceedings.
In a phone call with KPRC 2’s Michael Horton following the hearing, Quanell X said he believes the case should prompt sweeping legislative change.
“A message needs to be sent,” Quanell X said in an exclusive phone interview.
According to investigators, Paillet was arrested after a woman went through his phone and allegedly discovered a video of him sexually assaulting her 2-year-old relative.
Court records indicate detectives later uncovered information suggesting there may be additional victims.
“When I first spoke with the DA’s office regarding this case, I asked if they would pursue the death penalty, and they explained to me that current laws did not make that possible,” Quanell X said.
What the current law states
Under current Texas law, the death penalty is not an option in cases where the victim survives, even in aggravated sexual assault cases involving very young children.
Under current Texas law, the death penalty may only be sought in cases charged as capital murder, as defined in Texas Penal Code §19.03.
Aggravated sexual assault of a child—including cases involving very young victims—is classified as a first-degree felony or “super aggravated” offense punishable by life in prison, but it is not a capital offense unless the crime also involves a murder that meets the statutory definition of capital murder.
Additionally, under the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2008 decision in Kennedy v. Louisiana, the death penalty cannot be imposed for non-homicide crimes such as child rape where the victim survives.
Quanell X says that needs to change.
“Any man—any human being—who video records himself committing the sexual assault of a 2-year-old should be eligible for the death penalty. There is no rehabilitating that kind of evil,” he said.
He is now pushing for legislation that would expand capital punishment eligibility.
“I want to push for the death penalty for anyone convicted of super aggravated assault of a child. In Harris County, in Montgomery County, in Texas,” Quanell X said.
Quanell X confirmed he and other advocates have already begun reaching out to lawmakers.
“We’ve reached out to several state representatives and one state senator,” he said, though he declined to name them at this time.
Inside the courtroom, Grizzy said Paillet avoided cameras by shielding his face with a yellow envelope once he noticed media members.
“He’s covering his face because he knows we’re here,” Grizzy said in a video posted from the courtroom. “As soon as he saw me, he covered his face.”
As the case moves forward in Montgomery County, activists say they intend to use it as a catalyst for broader legal reform—arguing that punishment for crimes involving the sexual assault of very young children does not go far enough.
“That child is absolutely defenseless,” Quanell X said. “There is nothing that can be done in the justice system to rehabilitate someone capable of that.”