WALKER COUNTY, Texas — A Huntsville man has been sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to charges of Possession with Intent to Promote Child Pornography and Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, according to the Walker County District Attorney's Office.
Colin Sweeney, 53, pled guilty to the charges on Oct. 24 and was sentenced to 42 years in TDCJ custody without parole. His requirement to serve his prison sentence without parole is required by law, according to the district attorney's office. Sweeney has been in the Walker County Jail since Feb. 8, 2022.
Sweeney's actions were initially brought to light following a tip to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, which stated that he had offered a five-year-old to another person "for sexual purposes." A Huntsville Police Detective later investigated the tip, and was able to confirm what the tip had claimed.
After a search of Sweeney's phone, authorities found multiple images and videos of him sexually abusing the child since they were just four years old.
"There were many agencies that worked tirelessly to get justice in this case, including the Huntsville Police Dept., Walker County Sheriff's Office, Montgomery County District Attorney Internet Crimes Against Children Investigators, Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services, Children's Safe Harbor, and the Walker County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance Coordinator Beth Malak," said Trial Prosecutor Phil Faseler in a press release. "This conviction could not have been accomplished without their efforts, and it is truly an honor to work alongside such dedicated professionals who work on these incredibly difficult and heinous cases."
According to the district attorney's office, the State is going to provide resources and victim services--including therapeutic assistance and counseling services--to the child that was involved in Sweeney's actions.
"There is nothing worse than a sexual predator like the defendant who targets the most innocent and vulnerable--our children," stated Walker County District Attorney Will Durham in a press release. "This lengthy day for day prison sentence will ensure that this monster never harms another child while protecting the young victim from ever seeing him again."
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