GEORGETOWN — A Hutto man found guilty on a charge of indecency with a child will spend up to 20 years in prison, prosecutors said.
A Williamson County jury delivered the verdict against Antonio Jesus Garcia, 37, Sept. 24 in Judge Donna King’s 26th state District Court, with the sentence following, officials said Tuesday.
He received the maximum penalty for the charge, according to Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick.
“The young survivor showed incredible strength and bravery in standing up to her abuser, and we sincerely hope that this verdict brings her and her family the peace and justice that they deserve,” Dick said in a prepared release. “My office remains committed to prosecuting to the fullest those who prey on the most vulnerable in our county.”
According to court documents, the incident that landed Garcia in court occurred Jan. 3, 2024, after the mother of the 11-year-old victim checked Ring camera footage and saw a man and her daughter alone in the master bedroom with the door closed.
The mother confronted her daughter, who then revealed the man had been sexually abusing her for months, according to the district attorney.
Prosecutors said the man could be heard on the 911 call pleading with the victim’s mother not to report him to the authorities.
Evidence presented during the trial showed a pattern of abuse at two locations where the family lived, according to court documents.
Prosecutors said the man “used his position of trust” within the family to “exploit and maintain (the victim’s) silence.”
The girl described Garcia as “upset” and “disappointed” when she resisted him, according to the investigation.
Court documents noted the man told the girl that if she revealed what happened, he would go to jail and the family would never see him again.
The case was prosecuted by assistant district attorneys John Castro and Nidia Ventura Molina.
“Mr. Castro and Mrs. Ventura Molina are experienced and passionate prosecutors assigned to our Special Victims Unit,” Dick said. “Because of their hard work, experience and insight, a dangerous abuser has been held accountable and removed from society.”
