AUSTIN – A Denison man with 35 years of law enforcement experience was named ombudsman Wednesday for the Texas Youth Commission, a job vacant for four months after Gov. Rick Perry's previous appointee was indicted.

Perry selected John Moore as the independent watchdog for the rights of children in state custody. Reporting directly to the governor, the post was created by the Legislature after accounts of sexual and physical abuse at the juvenile lockups in 2007.

"I intend to be a very strong and assertive advocate for the youth in TYC," Moore said.

Moore, an Army veteran, retired in January 2009 after 25 years as a U.S. marshal. Before his federal service, he worked as a state trooper and Amarillo police officer.

The last ombudsman, former Dallas County juvenile judge Catherine Evans, resigned in November after being caught bringing a knife, cash and cellphone into a secure juvenile lockup. She said she was testing security but was indicted in December on a charge of felony possession of a prohibited item.

Scott Medlock, a Texas Civil Rights Project lawyer who has advocated for juveniles, said law enforcement experience would be helpful in the job, which involves investigating possible wrongdoing.

But he also said he had hoped someone with some juvenile justice experience might have been picked.

"I don't know that someone with Mr. Moore's background is the best to tackle a lot of the unique problems in juvenile justice," Medlock said.

Moore said he applied because he is interested in providing youth services, especially education, drug treatment and other programs.

Although he has no experience with juvenile justice, he said he's confident he can improve the system.

"The youth – that's where we need to start," he said, adding that with the right help, young offenders can be diverted from ending up in state or federal prison.