Two 10-year-olds in Porter reportedly found the courage to speak up, telling relatives they had been sexually abused by a family member’s romantic partner. That disclosure set off a rapid investigation that ended with a suspect tracked down across county lines and jailed without bond, authorities say.
According to Click2Houston, Montgomery County deputies were called Wednesday to a home in Porter for a reported sexual assault. Relatives told investigators the two children had accused the partner of a family member of sexually abusing them. The next day, the kids were taken to Children’s Safe Harbor in Conroe for detailed interviews, where investigators say the children disclosed multiple incidents. Detectives then arranged forensic interviews and medical exams, secured residential search and arrest warrants that evening, and located the suspect in Mont Belvieu.
The man, identified by authorities as Joseph Compagnari, was arrested in Mont Belvieu and charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child. Officials say he is being held at the Chambers County Jail without bond while the case moves forward.
What the charge means under Texas law
The listed charge, continuous sexual abuse of a young child, falls under Section 21.02 of the Texas Penal Code and is treated as a first-degree felony. The statute carries a potential sentence of 25 to 99 years in prison or life, making it one of Texas’s most serious non-capital offenses, according to Justia.
Forensic interviews and victim support
Investigators say they will not release further details at this time, citing the need to protect both the integrity of the case and the privacy of the children, as reported by Click2Houston. The children were brought to Children’s Safe Harbor, which describes its forensic interviews as developmentally appropriate and trauma informed, designed to allow children to share what happened while trying to limit additional stress. The nonprofit also helps coordinate medical exams, counseling, and advocacy services for families caught in the middle of criminal investigations.
The investigation is still active, and anyone with information is urged to contact local law enforcement. For victim assistance, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office services are listed through local directories, and suspected child abuse can be reported to the Texas child-abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400; see Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Victim Services for local contact information.
