Sexual assault trial to begin

October 29, 2012

Jury selection is expected to begin in 118th District Court this morning in the trial of a Big Spring man charged with four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.
Hector Manuel Gonzales Jr., 33, of 3730 Adams St., was indicted by a Howard County grand jury in mid-April on four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, all first-degree felonies.
According to the indictment, the incidents took place in 2010 with the first occurring March 1 and the last happening on or about Nov. 24.
The case was investigated by the Big Spring Police Department, according to court records.
If convicted, Gonzales could face up to five to 99 years to life in prison for each count, as well as a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Assistant District Attorney Robin Orr is expected to present the state's case, while Big Spring attorney Don Richard will be heading up the defense.
The jury was expected to be empaneled this morning with pretrial motions in the case presented to District Judge Timothy Yeats this afternoon. Testimony is expected to begin Tuesday at 9 a.m.