Two men in Cameron County were each sentenced to lengthy prison terms Monday for sex crimes against children.
In news releases, the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office announced that Esteban Saavedra received a 25-year sentence for sexually abusing a child while Jorge Alberto Martinez received a 20-year sentence.
Prosecutors had charged Saavedra with sex abuse of a child: victim under 14, indecency with a child by sexual contact and sexual assault.
“The case stems from an outcry that was made by the victim. The sexual acts were said to have been committed when she was 10 years old and continued through the age of 14. This abuse took place at the defendant’s residence,” the release stated.
State District Judge Janet Leal sentenced Saavedra to 25 years on the sex abuse of a child: victim under 14 charge; 10 years to indecency with a child; and 20 years for sexual assault.
The punishments will run concurrent, according to court records.
“The counts of this case are determined by the various acts the defendant committed on the victim. Each count has a different range of punishment,” the release stated.
In Martinez’s case, he was charged with sex abuse of a child: victim under 14; aggravated sexual assault of a child; and two counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact.
“In this case, it was reported that Jorge Alberto Martinez committed sexual acts on 2 victims who were ages 11 and 13 years old. Unfortunately, this abuse was continuous and forceful,” the release stated. “On different occasions, the victims would try to make the defendant stop but he would threaten them and brutally continue to force the sexual acts.”
He received 20 years on the sex abuse of a child: victim under 14 and aggravated sexual assault of a child charges and 10 years for both counts of indecency with a child by sexual contact charges.
The counts will run concurrent and Martinez is required to register as a lifetime sex offender. The victims also received lifetime protective orders.
“It is unfortunate how almost every child abuse case we investigate and prosecute, involves a family member as the perpetrator,” Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz said in the release. “It is important that as parents we try our best to have our children trust and confide in us. Believe them when they say they don’t want to stay or be with a certain person.”
