A former Blanco County resident was found guilty by a Blanco County jury of Sexual Assault of a child and Aggravated Sexual Assault of a child and sentenced to 456 consecutive years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
On Wednesday, April 10, Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Stacy Street, and District Attorney Sonny McAfee completed the trial of James Alba, Sr. of Austin, who formerly resided in Blanco County. Alba, who more recently resided in Austin, was charged with 5 counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under the age of 14 , and 3 counts of Sexual Assault of a Child under the age of 17. The charges stemmed from offenses committed between 1995 and 2000 and involved numerous acts of sexual abuse. The evidence presented at trial revealed sexual abuse of a female from the time she was 4 years of age through the age of 15. The offenses that occurred in Blanco County occurred when the victim was 11 to 15 years old. The jury deliberated for a little over an hour before returning guilty verdicts for all counts charged.
During the punishment phase of the trial, 4 additional women testified they were also abused by Alba when they were children. Again, the victims’ ages at the time of the abuse ranged from 4 years of age through approximately 15 years of age. Evidence revealed that the first acts of sexual abuse perpetrated by Alba began in 1973 and did not come to an end until the year 2000. At the conclusion of the trial, 33rd Judicial District Judge Allan Garrett sentenced Alba to 99 years on each conviction of Aggravated Sexual Assault (Child younger than 14 years of age) and the maximum of 20 years on each count of Sexual Assault of a Child (child younger than 17 years of age). Upon a motion by the prosecution, Judge Garrett “stacked” the sentences by ordering the sentences to be served consecutively for a total term of 456 years.
ADA Street said she and McAfee agreed that Alba is one of the worst pedophiles either has encountered in their careers. She further stated she appreciated the difficult task of the jury in listening to the horrific events described during testimony in this case. Street also said she was very pleased with the rapid verdict of the jury which indicated to her the evidence of Alba’s guilt was overwhelming. Street said that although judges may not comment on why they render particular sentences, as a prosecutor she believes the 456 year sentence handed down by Judge Garrett sends a strong message to our communities in the four county judicial district that abuse of children will be not be tolerated and those convicted will be dealt with severely.
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