A Travis County judge has sentenced 37-year-old Austin resident Justin Gorbea to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury convicted him of aggravated sexual assault and burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a sexual offense. The verdict came on June 3 after a trial that began June 1, and the judge ordered the life sentences to be served concurrently in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Austin police arrested Gorbea on July 12, 2025, and a grand jury indicted him in September 2025.
In a press release, the Travis County District Attorney’s Office said prosecutors presented the case over the course of the weeklong trial and then asked the judge to determine punishment after the guilty verdict. The release credited Assistant District Attorneys Jacob Swaab, Clayton Myers, and Armit Sharma, along with investigators and victim-services staff who supported the prosecution. “Our office is grateful to our dedicated staff and law enforcement partners, who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim,” District Attorney José Garza said in the statement.
Verdict and timeline
Jurors returned guilty verdicts on June 3, and court records show Gorbea immediately chose to have the judge decide his punishment. As reported by CBS Austin, Austin police arrested him on July 12, 2025, and a special grand jury returned the two-count indictment in September 2025.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office identified Austin Police Department Detective Philip Macri as the lead investigator and noted that Assistant DAs and victim advocates worked alongside investigators during the prosecution. The office also emphasized that the life sentences will be served through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
What the charges carry
Aggravated sexual assault is a first-degree felony in Texas and carries a punishment range of five to 99 years or life in prison, according to guidance from the Texas Office of Court Administration. Burglary of a habitation - entering or remaining in a dwelling with intent to commit a felony such as a sexual offense - is generally charged under Texas Penal Code §30.02 and is typically classified as a second-degree felony, though statutory provisions can elevate penalties in certain circumstances.
Local context
Prosecutors in Travis County have taken several sex-crime cases to trial this year, and juries have imposed long terms, a pattern highlighted in local coverage. One recent case resulted in a Nearly 70-Year Prison Term, underscoring that juries in the area have been willing to hand down lengthy sentences when evidence supports a conviction.
Gorbea was remanded to custody to begin serving the concurrent life terms, and the defense may still pursue post-trial motions or an appeal. Prosecutors have said they hope the verdict helps support the victim’s healing as the case moves into the post-trial phase.
