Justice has been served in Tarrant County, as the District Attorney's Office announced the conviction of Leonel Fernandez on charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and indecency with a child. A post shared by the Tarrant County DA's Office on social media detailed the outcome of the case, which ended with Fernandez being sentenced to a 40-year prison term.
The wheels of justice turned on the harrowing account of a family member, who mustered the courage to report in June 2021 that Fernandez had sexually abused her beginning at the tender age of eight. Over approximately two years, the abuse was inflicted, and the scars will undoubtedly mark the survivor's life far beyond the physical timeline of events. Fernandez, preying on vulnerability, not only inflicted abuse but also wielded threats of violence against the victim's mother to keep the truth in shadows and silence.
In the courtroom, Assistant District Attorneys Michael Mayfield and Matthew Jackson led the charge, flanked by Investigator Josh Neiswender and Victim Coordinator Imelda Lopez. Their collaboration painted a clear picture of the trauma and injustice that demanded retribution. It's worth recognizing, too, the significant workload that they shouldered during the investigation and trial to ensure a predator like Fernandez would not walk free.
