Tanner Horner, the former FedEx contract driver who shocked the courtroom by pleading guilty to the capital murder and aggravated kidnapping of 7-year-old Athena Strand on the very first day of his trial in April 2026, now faces additional scrutiny over serious allegations from his past. Court documents obtained by media outlets detail claims that Horner sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl in 2013, when he was 22 years old, and that he was fully aware of her age at the time.

According to a 2022 arrest affidavit from Fort Worth police, the woman reported the incident two months after Horner’s arrest in the Athena Strand case. She described being at Horner’s house, drinking alcohol, and deciding to stay overnight to avoid trouble with her grandmother. While there, Horner allegedly made repeated sexual advances that she initially resisted. In her intoxicated state, she eventually gave in. Crucially, screenshots of text messages included in the affidavit reportedly show Horner explicitly acknowledging that the victim was 16 years old. Based on this evidence, Horner was indicted on two counts of sexual assault of a child, though Tarrant County prosecutors opted not to pursue those charges while he faced the possibility of the death penalty in the high-profile Strand murder case.

Athena Strand vanished on November 30, 2022, from the driveway of her family’s home in Wise County, Texas. Horner had been making deliveries in the neighborhood that afternoon. In his initial statements to investigators, he claimed he accidentally backed his delivery van into the little girl, panicked when she said she would tell her father, abducted her, and later strangled her out of fear of consequences. Her body was discovered two days later near a creek roughly 15 miles away.

The surprise guilty plea moved the proceedings directly into the punishment phase, where a jury must now decide between the death penalty or life in prison without parole. During this phase, prosecutors have presented deeply disturbing evidence that contradicts Horner’s “panic” narrative. Photos shown in court reportedly captured Athena alive and alert inside the FedEx truck shortly after her abduction. Dashcam audio allegedly recorded Horner repeatedly trying to silence the child. Forensic analysis revealed Horner’s DNA on Athena in locations described by prosecutors as completely inappropriate for any adult-child interaction, pointing strongly to sexual assault occurring before her death.

The 2013 allegation adds a chilling new dimension to an already horrific case. It raises questions about whether Horner had a long-standing pattern of preying on young girls. The woman’s account, supported by digital communications, suggests Horner knowingly targeted an underage victim years before the events that led to Athena’s murder. Despite the indictment on the earlier charges, the focus remained squarely on the capital case against him.

Athena’s family has spoken publicly about their profound grief and the lasting impact of her loss. Relatives have described the bright, loving 7-year-old as full of life, stolen in a matter of minutes while her family was inside their home. Some family members have expressed a mix of forgiveness and a firm demand for full accountability through the justice system.

Horner’s defense team has attempted to frame the killing as a panicked reaction to an accidental collision, citing factors such as his autism spectrum disorder in arguments against the death penalty. However, prosecutors have pushed back aggressively, presenting evidence they argue shows premeditation, a sexual motive, and a calculated attempt to cover up the crime. The sentencing phase is expected to continue for up to three weeks, with additional testimony, witness statements, and evidence likely to further detail Horner’s actions, background, and the full extent of the harm caused.

The timing of the 2013 allegation’s emergence — coming shortly after Horner’s arrest for Athena’s kidnapping and murder — has intensified public outrage. Many see it as evidence of a predator who operated undetected for nearly a decade, delivering packages by day while allegedly committing serious offenses against minors. Victim advocates emphasize the importance of survivors coming forward, even years later, and highlight how digital evidence like text messages can play a decisive role in holding perpetrators accountable.

As the jury weighs the appropriate punishment, the case serves as a sobering reminder of vulnerabilities in everyday routines — a child playing outside her home, a delivery driver passing through the neighborhood. It also underscores ongoing discussions about screening for delivery personnel and rapid response protocols for missing children cases.

Athena Strand’s life was cut tragically short in what prosecutors describe as a brutal and intentional act. While nothing can bring her back, the truth unfolding in the Tarrant County courtroom offers at least some measure of justice for her family and the community. The prior allegation against Horner, now part of the broader picture presented during sentencing, may influence the jury’s difficult decision and reinforce the argument that he represents a continuing threat.

For those following the case, the emerging details paint a portrait of calculated danger rather than a one-time mistake born of panic. As testimony continues and the jury deliberates, the hope remains that accountability will be served in full for the innocent life taken far too soon.