Vincente Gonzalez was convicted of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and five counts of indecency with a child by sexual conduct.
SAN MARCOS, Texas — A man the Hays County District Attorney called a “multi-generational predator” has been sentenced to centuries in prison for sexually assaulting minors who lived in his home during different periods of his life.
On April 30, a Hays County jury convicted Vincente Gonzalez of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a young child and five counts of indecency with a child by sexual conduct. The DA’s office said all of the victims were between the ages of 8 and 13 at the time of the abuse.
Gonzales, 57, elected to have the court assess his punishment. A punishment hearing was held on May 19, after which a district court judge handed down a sentence totaling 298 years.
The two counts of continuous sexual abuse carry a punishment of 25 years to 99 years or life without the possibility of parole, while the five counts of indecency with a child carry a punishment range of two to 20 years. The judge ordered a maximum sentence on each charge and ruled that each count run consecutively for a total of nearly 300 years.
Gonzales is also required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Assistant District Attorney Abigail Whitaker, the lead prosecutor in this case, said the goal was to send a message to other predators.
“Both the jury and the judge recognized the threat this pedophile posed,” Whitaker said. “We thank the jury for their conscientious service to the community and applaud the court for punishing these evil actions in the strongest way possible.”
Whitaker also noted the strength and courage of those who came forward and testified against Gonzales.
Assistant District Attorney Katie Arnold added that the victims have been believed and validated by the jury’s verdict and the prosecution is “thankful for their common sense.”