A Collin County jury convicted Ivan Espinoza-Montes, 21, of McKinney, of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced him to 65 years in prison, District Attorney Greg Willis announced Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The child victim was forensically interviewed at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center, which serves families across the county, including those in Murphy, Wylie and Sachse. The center reports that more than 6,000 children are reported as abused or neglected in Collin County each year.
The offense and investigation
The first-degree felony conviction stems from an October 2024 incident in which the child's mother discovered Espinoza-Montes in her daughter's bed early one morning while the rest of the family was asleep. Espinoza-Montes had been staying in the home as a family friend.
The mother called 911 immediately.
The Collin County Sheriff's Office responded, and Detective Ryan Nance led the investigation. The child disclosed details of the abuse during a forensic interview at the advocacy center and underwent a sexual assault examination at the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center. DNA evidence collected during that exam corroborated the child's account.
Already out on bond for five felonies
During the punishment phase of the trial, jurors learned Espinoza-Montes was out on bond from Titus County at the time of the October 2024 offense. He faced five pending charges there: two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and theft of a firearm.
After hearing that evidence, the jury assessed the 65-year sentence.
"This man was welcomed into a family's home as a friend, and he then betrayed that trust by sexually assaulting a child," Willis said. "A Collin County jury saw the evidence and delivered a 65-year sentence."
Judge Jim Pruitt presided over the trial. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Pierce Richardson and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, assisted by DA investigators Sarah Putman and Glen Blackmon.
How to report suspected abuse
Anyone who suspects a child is being abused or neglected can call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400, available around the clock, or report online at www.txabusehotline.org. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
