A child’s sleepover at an El Paso home has ended in a decade-long prison sentence for the host, after a jury found that 54-year-old Edwin Fernando Perez sexually assaulted a 9-year-old guest. The case surfaced years later when the child disclosed the abuse to a school counselor in 2022, and Perez will have to register as a sex offender for life once he is released from prison.
Jury Conviction And Sentence
According to the El Paso District Attorney's Office, a jury convicted Perez on Friday of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced him to 10 years in state prison. As reported by KFOX14, prosecutors said the crime happened during a sleepover at Perez’s home several years before the case ever reached a courtroom.
How The Case Came To Light
KVIA ABC-7 reports that the child first told a school counselor about the assault in 2022, long after the incident itself. Prosecutors said that in the end, jurors believed the victim’s account and relied on that testimony in reaching their verdict.
Prosecutor's Statement
In a statement to KFOX14, District Attorney James Montoya praised the child’s courage in coming forward, saying it “takes a lot of strength and courage.” He also thanked the jury for holding Perez accountable. The DA’s office said Perez will serve his time in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and must remain on the sex offender registry for the rest of his life after release.
What The Law Says
Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony in Texas and can result in a prison term ranging from five years to 99 years or life, according to the Texas Penal Code. Under Chapter 62 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, aggravated sexual assault is classified as a reportable offense that generally requires lifetime registration on the state’s sex offender registry.
