Kevin Blaine Pering has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The 46-year-old Katy resident was charged with sexually abusing a distant relative for several years.
According to Assistant District Attorney Michael L. Hartman, the abuse was discovered in January 2009 when Pering’s 12 year old victim disclosed the abuse to a friend. The young friend informed her mother of the abuse and the authorities were called.
The case was investigated by Detectives Marshia Cox and Russ Womble of the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. The case was further aided by the interviewing techniques of Captain Sonny Colunga, who elicited admissions of the abuse from the defendant after initial denials.
“Holding Pering accountable for his crimes, and keeping him away from the public, would never have been possible without the remarkable courage of the child victim and her friend who insisted a parent be told of the abuse,” said Hartman. “We are very proud of the young victim; it took great courage to come forward and tell what was happening to her.”
“Investigating sex crimes against children requires a high level of sensitivity and professionalism,” said Child Abuse Division Chief Suzy Morton. “Detective Cox, Detective Womble and the other detectives assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Special Crimes Unit consistently demonstrate these characteristics.”
Morton says that the majority of times, child victims do not tell right away, especially when they have been sexually abused by someone they know. “We want children to know that it is never their fault when they are abused and there is help if they tell.”
As of September 1, 2007, there is no longer a statute of limitations in Texas for sex offenses committed against children.
Pering was prosecuted in the 400th District Court before Presiding Judge Clifford J. Vacek. Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child is a first degree felony punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. The two 20-year sentences will run concurrently. Pering was probation eligible.
Assistant District Attorneys Hartman and Suzy Morton prosecuted the case. J. Michael Threadgill represented the defendant.
