We told you earlier today a Center man was found guilty Wednesday for the aggravated sexual assault of a woman that occured 8-years ago.

 

A Shelby County jury deliberated 90 minutes yesterday before returning the verdict against 51-year old Juan Merino.

 

That jury reconvened this morning in the 123rd District Court in Center for the punishment phase and after a half-hour of deliberating, the jury returned and gave Merino 60 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice System and a $10,000 fine.

 

He will be required to serve a minimum of 30 years of the sentence. 

 

In a statement, District Attorney Kenneth Florence said the victim, who was 9-years old at the time, did report the incident, but the identity of Merino was not known. The DA’s statement said in 2014, the now 17-year old saw Merino at the Center High School athletic track and recognized him. She reportedly took a picture of his vehicle and reported it to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department. Information on the license plat led law enforcement to Merino.