Luis Rangel, 50, of San Marcos, was sentenced to 30 years in prison on March 10 after pleading guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. These sentences will run concurrently, according to the office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins. The sentencing came one day after a jury was selected and moments before opening statements in the trial.
This case was investigated by the Austin Police Department and the San Marcos Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Daniel Sakaida, assisted by Sandra Groters, Avery Slocum, Zoie Sanders and Sergeant Investigator Robert Torres.
“We want to thank the jury for dedicating their time,” Story said. “Without their willingness to serve, a plea agreement would not have been reached.”
Story also thanked the victim for their bravery.
“We hope that the closing of this chapter will open one that leads to continued healing with the assurance that this man finally paid for the long-term damage he has done.”
Rangel was indicted in 2023 for sexually abusing a child from the ages of 7 to 12 years old shortly after a delayed outcry in 2022. Rangel entered a plea of guilty to three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child for acts alleged in 2014, 2017 and 2020. Because the case was resolved by a guilty plea, the child victim did not have to testify about the sexual abuse experienced at a young age, according to Hays County.
The child was present for Rangel’s guilty plea and sentencing and spoke during allocution to the defendant about the trauma that continues because of his actions.
This article has been edited.
