by | Published
PEARSALL, TX — An 80-year-old Frio County man, once highly regarded in his community and church, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury convicted him of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, prosecutors announced.
Roy Black, Jr. was found guilty on Thursday, July 16, 2026, of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 14. Following the trial, the jury handed down a maximum sentence of 99 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for each individual count.
Due to the severe nature of the offenses, Black must serve a minimum of 30 years in state prison before he can legally become eligible for parole—effectively a life sentence for the octogenarian.
According to the prosecution, Black capitalized on his strong standing as a trusted figure within his local neighborhood and church congregation to mask his predatory behavior.
During the criminal investigation, Black formally confessed to two of the three offenses. However, he maintained his innocence on the third count, forcing the case to a full trial in front of a Frio County jury.
The state's case was solidified when two young child victims took the witness stand to courageously testify about the abuse they endured. Their testimony, paired with corroborating evidence from forensic experts, led the jury to return guilty verdicts on all three counts.
A Message to Victims: Following the reading of the verdict, prosecutors praised the immense bravery of the children involved, stating:
"The jury’s sentence reflects the courage of the victims who came forward to report the abuse and testify at trial. Their bravery ensured this defendant was held accountable and the jury sent a clear message to other victims: when you come forward, you will be heard, supported, and justice will be pursued. Predators come from every background and walk of life."
The successful prosecution relied heavily on a specialized multi-agency network of medical professionals, child advocates, and local detectives:
Investigation: Spearheaded by Detective Rey Dominguez of the Pearsall Police Department.
Forensic Advocacy: The Children’s Alliance of South Texas and Forensic Interviewer Angela Perez managed the specialized child interviews.
Medical Evidence: Forensic medical examinations were conducted by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Cynthia Garcia and renowned Child Abuse Pediatrician Dr. James Lukefahr.
Trial Team: Led by First Assistant District Attorney Leslie Carranza, Assistant DA Kenny Lam, Analyst Karen Dziuk, and Victim Advocate Katie Quinney.
