San Angelo man receives jail time for online solicitation of a minor
A San Angelo man has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of online solicitation of a minor, according to a news release from the Tom Green County District Attorney’s office.
A jury trial began Thursday for Nicholas Dussault with 51st District Judge Carmen Dusek presiding.
On Oct. 10, 2022, Special Agent Jason Parker with the Texas Department of Public Safety conducted an investigation targeted at child sex predators using online platforms, according to the media release.
Dussault, 32, initiated a conversation on the MeetMe application with undercover agent Parker.
“The defendant believed that he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl,” the release stated. “The defendant solicited the individual he believed to be a 15-year-old girl to meet the defendant and engage in sex.”
Nicholas Dussault.
Dussault showed up at the meeting location and was arrested by the DPS.
After hearing the testimony and reviewing the evidence, the jury deliberated for nearly 30 minutes before finding Dussault guilty of online solicitation of a minor — sexual conduct.
“The defendant elected to have the jury assess punishment,” according to the release. “The defendant had no criminal history. After hearing defense evidence, the jury sentenced the defendant to 3 years confinement in the penitentiary.”
The range of punishment for this crime is 2-20 years or life in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Institutional Division or probation if the defendant was eligible.
“We want to thank the jury for their careful consideration in this case,” Allison Palmer, 51st DA said. “Their verdicts send a message to child predators in our community that if they are caught, they will be held accountable and punished.
“The verdict sends a message that Tom Green County juries will protect the children of our community. The verdict also sends a message to law enforcement that our community supports child sex predator investigations. Prosecuting sexual crimes involves a team effort. We appreciate the proactive efforts of the San Angelo DPS office to keep child predators off our streets and away from our children.”
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This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: San Angelo man found guilty for online solicitation of a minor
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