Man found guilty of sexual assault

March 1, 2012

A Big Spring man was found guilty of sexual assault of a child — a first-degree felony — in 118th District Court Wednesday, with sentencing expected to take place today.

Ernesto Dutchover Garcia, 60, 1300 E. 11th Place, was found guilty on several counts of sexual assault of a child Tuesday afternoon following several hours of deliberation by a jury.

Garcia was indicted Nov. 18, 2010, on four counts of indecency with a child (second-degree felony), three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child (first-degree felony) and a charge of continuous sexual assault of a child (first-degree felony).

Jury selection in the trial began Monday morning, with the first witnesses taking the stand for the prosecution — presented by Assistant District Attorney Robin Orr — Tuesday morning.

Garcia faces 5 to 99 years to life in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000 on each of the first-degree felony charge and two to 20 years in prison and a fine not to exceed $10,000 on the second-degree felony charge.

According to court records, the alleged attacks go as far back as 2003, listing dates of offense as Dec. 31, 2003, Feb. 26, 2004, and the most recent being Aug. 29, 2010.

Garcia is being represented by local attorney Robert Miller. The case was investigated by the Big Spring Police Department.