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Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced last week that 34-year-old Joseph Pavelka, IX, formerly of San Marcos, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Pavelka was not eligible for probation based on the severity of the offenses. He was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 10, by presiding Judge Gary Steel to six years in prison on all three counts to run concurrently. Pavelka is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his lifetime.
On Aug. 19, 2024, a Hays County jury found Pavelka guilty of sexually abusing the victim from the ages of six and seven years of age while he was 17 and 18 years old at the time.
The evidence showed that the abuse was not immediately disclosed due to the defendant’s threats made to the victim, including that she would “get in trouble” and that she would not be believed. During the trial, the State presented the victim’s childhood journals that described the abuse and emotional trauma experienced because of Pavelka. After the reading of the verdict, the jury verbalized their belief in the victim and their hope that she will find closure. One of the jurors returned to the courthouse for the punishment phase in support of the victim. Prior to issuing the sentence, the judge addressed the victim personally, stating that he believed her testimony.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Rowan St. John.
“We would like to thank the victim for her patience and courage to face her abuser after years of being silenced,” Story said. “The jury’s verdict sent a message to her and this community that they will not tolerate child sexual abuse, regardless of the time it took for the perpetrator’s crimes to be revealed.”
