BRYAN, Texas — On Wednesday, a Brazos County Jury handed a 20-year prison sentence and a multi-thousand dollar fine to a man convicted of Sexual Assault of a Child within just half an hour of deliberations.
According to the Brazos County District Attorney's Office, 59-year-old Derrick Johnson's niece informed the Bryan Police Department in 2018 that he had previously abused her. She was 34 when she came forward to police, and said that Johnson had abused her until she was 16 or 17 years old.
After an investigation by authorities, it was revealed that Johnson had done the same thing to two more relatives, and took place in Brazos County, Dallas, San Antonio, and Navasota. The other relatives that were linked to the investigation were 37 and 38 when the investigation was conducted, and admitted that they were scared to come forward about what had happened to them due to the consequences they might face.
During his trial, the three women gave their testimonies about what Johnson had done to them. Two experts from Scotty's House also spoke at the trial to the jury about the responses that victims of trauma--like the ones that had testified--may show.
"When a child abuse survivor discloses years of abuse, even as an adult, they deserve to receive justice," said Assistant District Attorneys Kara Comte and Barrack Potter. "The jury in this case finally gave three survivors the justice and closure they have been seeking for so long."
Ultimately, the jury in Johnson's trial sentenced him to 20 years in prison--the maximum jail time for his actions--and handed down a $10,000 fine.
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