MCALLEN – A McAllen man pled guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and was sentenced to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division.

Jose Angel Ruiz Maya, 42, entered a plea of guilty on May 9, 2022 in the 370^th District Court before presiding Judge Noe Gonzalez.

The case was prosecuted by Special Crimes Division Chief Hope Palacios; with assistance from Victim Advocates Ilda Sifuentes and Marlene Ramirez; the McAllen Police Department; DHR Safe H.A.V.E.N. Forensic Program; the Children’s Advocacy Center of Hidalgo & Starr Counties; and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

“It takes a collaborative effort to ensure that we protect children from sexual predators,” said Criminal District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez Jr. “I commend Chief Hope Palacios for securing a 40 year sentence and ensuring this predator does not hurt another child again.”

The sexual assault occurred on July 20, 2019 and defendant was arrested on July 22, 2019 by the McAllen Police Department. The victim was 16 years of age at the time of the offense.