by | Published
NEW BRAUNFELS, TX — A 29-year-old man was sentenced to more than three decades in state prison on March 16, 2026, following a digital investigation that uncovered a pattern of predatory behavior. Louie Jay Villagonza pled guilty to Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and was sentenced to 32 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).
Under the terms of the sentence handed down by Judge Stephanie Bascon of the 466th District Court, Villagonza is not eligible for parole and must serve the entire 32-year term behind bars.
The case began on January 3, 2024, when the mother of a 12-year-old victim discovered inappropriate messages on the child’s social media account. She immediately contacted the New Braunfels Police Department and surrendered the phone as evidence.
Investigators determined that the abuse occurred on multiple occasions during overnight stays at a friend’s home. Villagonza was a family member of one of the victim’s schoolmates and resided at the location.
During an interview with Detective Richard Groff, Villagonza admitted to the sexual abuse. A forensic examination of Villagonza’s own cell phone corroborated the ongoing abuse and documented his efforts to conceal the relationship.
Evidence showed that while the two initially communicated via Snapchat, Villagonza eventually instructed the child to move their conversations to Instagram messaging, explicitly stating he believed it was a "safer" option to avoid detection.
Assistant District Attorney Lauren Cole prosecuted the case, highlighting the critical role that parental vigilance and digital forensics played in securing the conviction. The 32-year "day-for-day" sentence ensures that Villagonza will remain incarcerated until at least 2058.
