Houston man sentenced to 45 years for child sex crimes

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Fort Bend County authorities say a 32-year-old Houston man is sentenced to 45 years in prison for sex crimes involving a child.

Gorge Lopez, who made a plea deal with prosecutors, is sentenced to 25 years in prison for the continuous sexual abuse of a young child and another 20 years for indecency with a child.

Lopez began sexually assaulting his victim in Houston in 2012 when the child was only 12 years old, according to Assistant District Attorney Jill Stotts.

Authorities say Lopez's crimes were discovered when another adult caught him sexually assaulting the child several months later.

Officials say Lopez confessed to the ongoing sexual abuse with the child and said that he tried to stop the abuse prior to being caught, but just could not stop himself.

Fort Bend County Assistant District Attorney Jill Stotts said, "Most of the crimes prosecuted in our Child Abuse Division occur between victims and perpetrators who know each other. Often they are relatives, friends, or neighbors. The crimes Lopez committed are worthy of severe sentences, plus he will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life."