Lubbock man sentenced to 30 years for sexually abusing child
A 23-year-old man was sentenced Monday to 30 years in prison after admitting in court to sexually abusing a 6-year-old relative four years ago.
Ryan Victor Martinez appeared in the 140th District Court and pleaded guilty to a count of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The offense is a first-degree felony and carries a punishment of five years to life in prison.
Martinez, who has been held at the Lubbock County Detention Center since his July 30, 2020 arrest, entered his plea ahead of a trial set for July 22.
Upon his release from prison, he will have to register as a sex offender for life.
His charge stems from a Lubbock police investigation that began Jan. 20, 2020, when a 6-year-old girl told her father, who had returned from the store, that Martinez sexually abused her while she was left in his care.
A sexual assault examination found biological evidence that was linked to Martinez.
A warrant for his arrest was issued in June 29, 2020. On Jan. 8, 2021, the court initially found him incompetent to stand trial and he was sent to Vernon State Hospital where he regained competency.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock man sentenced to 30 years for sexually abusing child
