A Montgomery County jury sentenced Josean Michael Vallejo, 31, to 60 years in prison after convicting him on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by contact, according to a press release from the Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.

The verdict came Wednesday, July 22. The three-day trial began Monday, July 20, in the 221st District Court before Judge Lisa Michalk.

Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Detective Max Fruchtnicht led the investigation, which started after the child disclosed repeated sexual abuse to a trusted adult. As part of the case, the child participated in a forensic interview at Children's Safe Harbor in Conroe and underwent a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner examination.

Evidence presented at trial established that Vallejo repeatedly assaulted the child over an extended period and used manipulation and grooming to facilitate the abuse. Jurors also heard testimony about the defendant's own explanation for his conduct before returning guilty verdicts on all three counts.

The jury assessed punishment at 60 years on each aggravated sexual assault count and 20 years on the indecency count. Judge Michalk ordered all sentences to run concurrently, meaning Vallejo will serve a total of 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Under Texas law, aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony carrying five to 99 years or life in prison. A conviction also requires lifetime sex-offender registration under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Assistant District Attorneys Ann Kuykendall and Erin Delano prosecuted the case on behalf of the state.

"Every child deserves to know that when they tell the truth, there will be adults who listen, who believe them enough to investigate, and who will fight to protect them," Kuykendall said in a statement released Tuesday, July 28. "It was an honor to stand beside this child and help ensure that responsibility was fulfilled."

District Attorney Mike Holley said the conviction removes a predator from the community and affirms that children who come forward will not stand alone.

The DA's office credited prosecutors, investigators, forensic professionals, victim advocates, and jurors for their collective work on the case. Children's Safe Harbor, the nonprofit advocacy center that conducted the forensic interview, served more than 2,444 children across Montgomery, Walker, and San Jacinto counties in 2025.

Residents who suspect child abuse can contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office or call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.