AUSTIN, Texas — Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that a Bexar County child predator has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of sexually abusing multiple children.

A jury found 71-year-old Joe Suarez Jr. guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and Indecency with a Child after four days of testimony and approximately four hours of deliberation.

Following a sentencing hearing, the court imposed a sentence of life without parole for the continuous sexual abuse conviction and two consecutive 20-year prison terms for the indecency convictions, the maximum punishment allowed under Texas law.

“My office worked tirelessly to put this child predator behind bars for life and secure justice for the victims of these heinous crimes,” Attorney General Paxton said. “We are committed to standing up for victims of sexual assault and will use every tool available to us to ensure that child predators are prosecuted to the fullest extent that the law allows.”

The case began in March 2016 when an 8-year-old child disclosed sexual abuse to a teacher. Following that report, two additional victims came forward and reported that they had also been subjected to repeated abuse by Suarez.

The allegations were initially investigated by the San Antonio Police Department after referrals from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. The case was later referred to the Bexar County District Attorney’s Office but remained pending for several years before being transferred to the Texas Attorney General’s Office in late 2023 after local prosecutors recused themselves.

Attorney General investigators reopened and reinvestigated the case. In 2025, authorities presented evidence to a Bexar County grand jury, which indicted Suarez on charges including Continuous Sexual Abuse of Young Children, Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child.

According to prosecutors, Suarez used his position in the community to gain access to children. Evidence showed he offered mariachi lessons to children and used those relationships to earn the trust of victims and their families. Prosecutors said the abuse occurred both in his home and inside the cab of his 18-wheeler while he worked as a truck driver.

During the trial, jurors heard testimony from medical professionals, investigators, forensic interviewers, child abuse experts and family members. The three victims also testified, describing the abuse they suffered.

Assistant Attorneys General Ahrum Kim and Deanna Franzen prosecuted the case.

The life sentence ensures Suarez will spend the remainder of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.