November 10, 2021
(McKinney, Texas) – Ismael Lopez, 39, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 99 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “It’s ironic and just that for three long years this predator perpetrated evil upon this scared child, and that now this child’s incredible bravery will lock him up for 99 years,” said Willis after sentencing.
Lopez was close to the child’s family and had ongoing access to the child. He sexually abused the victim over the course of three years, until the child was 13 years old. Lopez told the child to keep the abuse a secret. Eventually, the child told a family member and the abuse was reported to the Plano Police Department.
Plano Police Department Detective Alec Newtown investigated the case. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where the child disclosed details about the ongoing abuse.
At the sentencing phase of trial, the jury also learned that Lopez had prior convictions for Assault, Driving While Intoxicated, and Possession of a Controlled Substance, for which he was sentenced to prison time and released to federal immigration custody in 2017. Lopez was deported but re-entered the country illegally. The jury found Lopez guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and assessed punishment at 99 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole. Judge Henry Wade, Jr. presided over the case.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Carrie Thomas and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Gregory Bowers, Sarah Putman, Laurie Gibbs, and Kenny Newton, Victim Assistance Coordinators Ruth Ruiz and Casey Hendrix, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.
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