In a landmark case that underscores the severity of crimes against children, a 42-year-old registered sex offender has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Manuel Enrique Arana Jr., a habitual offender with a long history of preying on vulnerable individuals, was convicted by a Harris County jury for the continuous sexual assault of a child under the age of 14.

A Predator Brought to Justice

Arana's latest conviction is the culmination of a disturbing pattern of behavior that spans decades. The jury heard harrowing testimony during a four-day trial detailing how Arana repeatedly molested a young girl over the course of more than a year, starting when she was just 7 years old. This was not an isolated incident in Arana's criminal history. His previous offenses include the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in 1999, for which he served eight years in prison.

"Not only was this man a habitual criminal who had been to prison before for sexually assaulting a minor, but he was also a registered sex offender," Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg stated. "He is a predator, and he will now spend the rest of his life in prison."

A History of Violence and Non-Compliance

Arana's criminal record reveals a consistent pattern of violence and disregard for the law. In 2013, he was convicted of assaulting a female family member in a domestic violence case. Despite being mandated to register as a sex offender upon his release, Arana failed to comply with the registration requirements, leading to additional jail time in 2009.

Assistant District Attorneys Jayelle Lozoya and Danielle Oxford, both of whom are dedicated to the Crimes Against Children Division of the Harris County DA’s Office, led the prosecution. "We asked the jurors to ‘Believe him when he shows you who he is,’ and they did just that. They believed he sexually assaulted yet another child, and for that, we are proud of them," Lozoya said.

A Lifetime Behind Bars

With this conviction, Arana will spend the remainder of his life in prison without any chance of parole, ensuring that he can no longer harm another child. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilant law enforcement and the justice system's role in protecting the most vulnerable members of society

Harris County law enforcement, alongside the District Attorney’s Office, continues to prioritize the safety of children and the prosecution of those who commit heinous crimes against them. The community can take some solace in knowing that justice has been served, and a dangerous predator is off the streets for good.

For more info, visit https://www.harriscountyda.com/