‘You stole my innocence.’ Victim of child sexual assault gives emotional impact statement.
A Stephenville man will spend the next 30 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Arran James Spoede, 48, stood next to his attorney Brady Pendleton in the 266th Judicial District Court when the plea agreement was read.
Spoede was arrested in 2022 after a woman contacted the Erath County Sheriff’s Office to make an outcry of sexual assault against him, according to the official complaint obtained by Beneath the Surface News.
The victim, then 20 years old, told investigators that Spoede began sexually assaulting her when she was 12.
The victim gave an emotional impact statement in court on Monday following the plea agreement.
“I will spend the rest of my life questioning those closest to me and because of that I am more alone than you or anyone will ever know,” she said.
“You stole my innocence. You stole my identity. You stole the childhood I deserved.
“You got to live your biggest dreams while I lived my biggest nightmare.”
Spoede looked at the victim directly as she read the statement.
“I hope the darkness frightens you…I will continue to be a voice for the weak.”
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