Judge sentences Stephenville man to 54 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child.
A Stephenville man is heading to prison after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child under the age of 14 years old.
Judge Jason Cashon sentenced 40-year-old Brandon Lee to 54 years in prison on Wednesday.
Lee pleaded guilty in December to aggravated sexual assault of a child and has been awaiting sentencing at the Erath County Jail.
“This case is a painful reminder that sexual perversion, manifest in the exploitation of our youth, is real and its damage lasting,” District Attorney Alan Nash stated in a press release.
“This sentence will prevent this defendant from being around children for decades, is a measure of temporal justice for what he has done and will hopefully help the victim and her family in the process of healing.”
BACKGROUND (FROM PRESS RELEASE)
The investigation by Lt. Jeremy Lanier and Det. Kevin Fincher with the Stephenville Police Department began with a report of an outcry of sexual abuse perpetrated by Lee.
Following a forensic interview and examination of the victim, investigators learned that Lee’s coworkers had information that corroborated the victim’s story.
The coworkers testified that Lee had made statements about having an inappropriate relationship with the victim.
The state concluded with emotional testimony from the victim who described a history of sexual abuse which began when she was 11 and continued for two years until she told a family member.
The defense presented testimony from Lee’s family members describing him as a hard-working and kind.
Lee testified regarding his remorse and desire to have a chance to someday reunite with his family. Lee acknowledged the truthfulness of his victim’s testimony and admitted to the sexual abuse she described.
He claimed that accessing deviant pornography fed his abnormal sexual desires and helped him rationalize his behavior.
In Texas, sexual assault of a child under 14 is a first degree felony carrying a range of punishment of five to 99 years or life in prison.
Lee will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least half of his 54-year sentence.
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