Motel manager accused of sexual assault seeks protection

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) -- A man accused of molesting two children at a motel he managed asked a Travis County judge for jailhouse protection on Wednesday. 

Douglas Wayne Ward, 46, was in the 299th district court, his first court appearance since his arrest last week.

His attorney is asking for a special hearing, as well as added security inside the Travis County Jail. 

"Mr. Ward was concerned and asks the court to make recommendation to the sheriff that he be placed in protective custody," said Bill Hines, Ward's attorney.

Ward was arrested in late June on six felony counts, including aggravated sexual assault of a child and retaliation. 

Ward was a manager at the Budget Lodge at I-35 and Rundberg when police arrested him.

The two boys, ages 10 and 12, said Ward sexually assaulted them at the motel. Court documents said he forced the boys to take naked pictures of themselves, performed a sexual act on one of them and threatened to kill them if they told anyone.

One of the boys told police the assault had been going on for months.

On Wednesday morning, Ward had a brief conversation with Judge Charles Baird. The judge asked him if any threats had been made against him while he was in jail. 

Ward answered that he had been threatened when he was "around a lot of people and other inmates."

In the end, Baird ordered extra protection and a new court date.

Ward's attorney also asked for an examination hearing. That would give the defense the opportunity to question witnesses and possibly his accusers.

The next step will be up to a grand jury. They could indict Ward within the next 30 days.