Relatives find video of La Porte man sexually assaulting young girl on his iPhone

Buford Lloyd Crowell Jr, 67, is in jail with a $50,000 bail amount on charges of first-degree felony aggravated sexual assault of a child and third-degree felony possession of child pornography. Buford Lloyd Crowell Jr, 67, is in jail with a $50,000 bail amount on charges of first-degree felony aggravated sexual assault of a child and third-degree felony possession of child pornography. Photo: La Porte Police Department Photo: La Porte Police Department Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Relatives find video of La Porte man sexually assaulting young girl on his iPhone 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

Family members of a La Porte man found a video of him sexually assaulting a young girl while borrowing his iPhone earlier this month, police say.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Buford Lloyd Crowell Jr, 67, lent his iPhone to his sister, who then gave it to her granddaughters to play with on Nov. 28.

Moments later, the granddaughters brought the phone to Crowell's sister and said there was something on the phone she should see.

When she looked, she found a video from June 2017 of Crowell allegedly sexually assaulting an unknown girl, the affidavit said.

She immediately called police.

Investigators with the La Porte Police Department and Harris County Precinct 8 Constable's Office investigated the video and arrested Crowell days later.

He's now in jail with a $50,000 bail amount on charges of first-degree felony aggravated sexual assault of a child and third-degree felony possession of child pornography.

He could face up to life in prison if convicted.

This isn't Crowell's first arrest on child sex charges in Harris County, according to court records.

In 1994, he was charged with indecency with a child – but a grand jury later found no reason to believe he should be charged. He was arrested for the same charge again in 2002, but that charge was dismissed.

He successfully completed a deferred adjudication program on a public lewdness charge in 2004.

Investigators are asking the public to come forward if they know of any juveniles who have been in contact with Crowell and who could be potential victims.

Anyone with information is urged to call the La Porte Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at 281-842-3173.

Jay R. Jordan covers breaking news in the Houston area. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and our subscriber site, HoustonChronicle.com | Follow him on Twitter at @JayRJordan | Email him at jay.jordan@chron.com | Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message