Montgomery County, TX — A Montgomery County jury has convicted 53-year-old Bernabe Mendiola of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child following a four-day trial.
Judge Lisa Michalk sentenced Mendiola to 50 years in prison without the possibility of parole, according to the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.
Prosecutors said Mendiola spent years building the child’s trust and used that relationship to facilitate and conceal the sexual abuse.
Assistant District Attorney Cassie Marchesani credited the child with having the courage to recognize the abuse, disclose what happened and confront his abuser through the judicial process.
District Attorney Mike Holley described Mendiola’s conduct as calculated and predatory and thanked the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Children’s Safe Harbor, Texas Forensic Nurse Examiners, Bikers Against Child Abuse and the prosecution team for their work on the case.
CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES
Anyone who suspects a child is being abused, neglected or exploited can report it to the Texas Abuse Hotline:
1-800-252-5400
Call 911 if a child is in immediate danger.