MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX- On September 10, a Montgomery County jury assessed the punishment of life in prison for 51-year-old Eugenio Allende Gil, of Conroe. The jury’s punishment decision followed Gil pleading guilty to first-degree felony Sexual Performance by a Child. The case was heard in the 9th District Court, before Judge Phil Grant.

Because Sexual Performance by a Child is an aggravated offense, Gil will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least 30 years of his sentence.

The charges stemmed from a July 13, 2019 investigation, that occurred when concerned citizen Emerson Bonilla Vigil contacted Conroe Police about Gil. The encounter between Vigil and Gil occurred when a family member took Gil to a gathering. Vigil said throughout the evening, Gil had been looking at a 13-year-old in a way that made Vigil uncomfortable. When Gil left, Vigil noticed he’d left behind his phone. Vigil said he was so disturbed by what he’d seen, he guessed the password and looked at texts and images stored on the phone. It confirmed his gut-feeling, with nude pics of a young teenage girl, along with inappropriate texts.

Conroe PD Detectives began investigating, and after reviewing the contents of Gil’s cell phone, it was clear he’d induced a 13- year-old female to send him sexual images and engaged in sexual conduct with the girl. Gil’s phone also contained messages indicating the child’s mother had been complicit in the abuse. The mother died before she could be charged.

During the trial, the victim testified about the year-long abuse that she suffered at the hands of Gil, doing so with the Defendant sitting only a few feet away. The jury watched as she wept and her hands shook, describing what her life had been like before a stranger got the police involved. The jury returned a sentence of life in prison after deliberating for around 30 minutes.

Conroe Police were assisted by Children’s Safe Harbor. Assistant District Attorney Frances Manzo and Chief Prosecutor Chris Seufert prosecuted the case.

Assistant District Attorney Frances Manzo said, “We ask a lot from victims of sexual abuse. It was heartbreaking for the child victim to have to face down the man who abused her, but it was also inspiring to see her find the courage to tell her story.”

District Attorney Brett Ligon said, “Emerson Vigil is a true hero. He trusted his gut and stood up to protect a defenseless child. In a world that can sometimes feel dark, he’s a bright light and a reminder of the good that still exists.”