Conroe, Texas March 22, 2012 – Alfred Gauthier, age 38, pled guilty to the felony offense of Aggravated Sexual Assault of two children, ages 9 and 10 and four counts of Possession of Child Pornography. Gauthier was the live in boyfriend of the children’s mother.
Alfred Gauthier
Gauthier was originally charged with the first degree felony of Continuous Sexual Assault for both children and ten counts of Possession of Child Pornography. In the plea bargain agreement, the Defendant agreed to plea guilty to a lesser charge of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, also a first degree felony, and guilty to four counts of child pornography. In exchange, the Defendant will be sentenced to life in prison for each count and the maximum penalty of ten years for possession of child pornography. The formal sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2012.
The case was prosecuted by Nancy Hebert, the Chief Prosecutor for the Crimes Against Children Division. This division was recently formed by the District Attorney, Brett Ligon, to combat abuse directed toward the most vulnerable of victims … children. Hebert credits the combined efforts of Todd Hoff the lead Detective with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Inv. Nikki Neeley with the District Attorney’s Office, and Children’s Safe Harbor for the thorough and professional manner in which this case was handled and investigated.
“The Defendant has no criminal history, but, Detective Hoff developed such overwhelming evidence that it made a plea to life on the first degree felony charge Gauthier’s best option.” Hebert also praises the bravery of the children in coming forward, “the children overcame their fear and told a grown-up which takes a lot of courage.”
