Trinidad Guzman, a New Mexico resident and registered sex offender, was sentenced to 30 years in Texas state prison after pleading guilty to online crimes against three Bee County children. (Contributed photo)
Trinidad Guzman, a New Mexico resident and registered sex offender, was sentenced to 30 years in Texas state prison after pleading guilty to online crimes against three Bee County children. (Contributed photo)
BEEVILLE – Trinidad Guzman, a New Mexico man and registered sex offender, was sentenced to 30 years in prison Aug. 17 after pleading guilty to grooming three Bee County girls and exposing himself to them over FaceTime. Â
State District Judge Boyd Bauer handed down the 30-year sentence in the Texas state prison system, accepted Guzman’s guilty pleas and issued lifetime orders of protection for the three children and their parents. Guzman accepted a plea agreement negotiated by First Assistant District Attorney Michelle Craig, which allowed the three young victims to avoid the trauma of testifying in court. Â
Guzman will serve his sentence within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and will remain a registered sex offender for life. Â
While Indecency with a Child by Exposure typically carries up to 10 years in prison and Online Solicitation of a Minor carries up to 20 years, prosecutors leveraged Guzman’s prior criminal history and enhancement provisions to secure the higher punishment range. Â
"Justice in a case like this is not simply about the number of years imposed," District Attorney Tiffany McWilliams said. "It is also about protecting victims from further trauma, holding offenders accountable and doing everything within the law to protect other children."Â Â
Authorities noted that Guzman gained the family's trust before targeting the children. The family's quick response and subsequent investigations by Texas Ranger Justin Cuellar and Bee County Sheriff's Office Lt. Jamie Pelfrey led to the prosecution. Prosecutors stated that Guzman's criminal history makes early parole highly unlikely.
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