News Flash

San Antonio, Texas, February 13, 2018: Last week, a Bexar County Jury in the 227^th District Court found Benjamin Escobedo, age 46, guilty of one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, one count of Sexual Assault of a Child and two counts of Indecency with a Child by Contact for abusing two girls ages 12 and 15. Escobedo will be sentenced by Judge Kevin O’Connell next month.

Escobedo, who was the boyfriend of the girl’s mother, lived with the two girls, but was not their biological father. In February 2015, the girls’ older brother, heard Escobedo entering the girls’ bedroom and thought that this was suspicious. He followed Escobedo into the bedroom and saw the defendant kneel down and reach across the bed towards the younger sister. The girls’ brother told their mom what he had seen and their mom confronted the older sister.  When asked about the incident, the girl began to cry and told her mother that Escobedo had been sexually abusing her. The younger sister originally said nothing had happened and that Escobedo had never sexually assaulted her; about a month later, however, she also admitted to being victimized by Escobedo.

During trial, both girls testified about the sexual assaults and told jurors they were gaining strength and getting stronger in telling their stories about what happened.  One of the sisters said she wants to help others who are too scared to come forward.

During closing arguments, prosecutors asked the jury to find Escobedo guilty. “I want you to use logic, use your common sense,” said Assistant District Attorney Leo Gonzalez. “If you believe them beyond a reasonable doubt, I am asking you to find him guilty, because he is guilty.”

Assistant District Attorneys Leo Gonzalez and Marissa Giovenco from the District Attorney’s Special Crimes Division prosecuted this case against Escobedo in the 227^th District Court.

Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is a first degree felony, with an enhanced punishment punishable by 25 years to life in prison and up to a $10,000.00 fine. Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Contact are both second degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.