A Collin County jury convicted a 21-year-old McKinney man of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced him to 65 years in prison, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced Tuesday, Aug. 11.
Ivan Espinoza-Montes was found guilty of the first-degree felony after a trial presided over by Judge Jim Pruitt.
The case began in October 2024, when the Collin County Sheriff's Office responded to a home where a child disclosed sexual abuse by a family friend who had been staying there. The child's mother discovered Espinoza-Montes in the child's bed early that morning while the rest of the family was asleep. She called law enforcement immediately.
Detective Ryan Nance of the Collin County Sheriff's Office investigated. The sheriff's office patrols unincorporated areas of Collin County, including areas surrounding Prosper and Celina.
The child was forensically interviewed at the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center and underwent a sexual assault examination at the Turning Point Rape Crisis Center. DNA evidence collected during the exam corroborated the child's account.
During the punishment phase, jurors heard that Espinoza-Montes was out on bond from Titus County at the time of the offense. He faced pending charges there including two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault on a public servant, evading arrest with a motor vehicle and theft of a firearm.
"We will always fight to protect our children and hold predators accountable," Willis said in a statement announcing the sentence.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Pierce Richardson and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, assisted by investigators Sarah Putman and Glen Blackmon.
The Collin County Children's Advocacy Center provides forensic interviews, therapy and family advocacy to child abuse victims at no cost. Turning Point operates a 24/7 sexual assault hotline at 1-800-886-7273.
Residents who suspect child abuse or neglect can call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or report online at txabusehotline.org. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
