Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that 50-year-old Steven Troy Tillery of Plano, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Willis said: “This child’s courage in speaking out ensured that this perpetrator is locked up, behind bars, never to violate another child again.”

The Prosecution said Tillery sexually abused a child related to him at least three times in her sleep when she was 12-13-years old.

Authorities said Tillery also sent the child text messages describing the acts of abuse and asked the child to allow him to continue with the abuse in exchange for gifts. The child told her mother about the text messages, and her mother then contacted law enforcement.

McKinney Police Department Detective Adrian Guzman and Sergeant Damian Guerrero investigated the case. The Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County’s Janetta Michaels forensically interviewed the child, who disclosed details of the abuse.

The jury returned a guilty verdict. Justice Kerry P. Fitzgerald assessed punishment at 50 years in prison and a $10,000 fine for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Assistant District Attorneys Geeta Singletary and Bobby Huber prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kim Voigt-Eanes and Victims Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.

In July 2017, 35-year-old James Schafer of Allen was sentenced to 40 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Authorities said Schafer sexually abused a child related to him for several years beginning when she was 6 years old.

Local law enforcement first became aware of the abuse in 2016 when Schafer told family members in Michigan about what he had done to the child. Michigan State Police were contacted, and the case was referred to Allen Police Department once it was determined that the multiple instances of sexual assault occurred in Texas.

Lisa Martinez with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County forensically interviewed the child, who disclosed details about the abuse. Allen Police Department Detective Michelle Peel investigated the case.

Schafer pled guilty to the offense and Judge James Fry assessed the agreed punishment at 40 years in prison.

Assistant District Attorney Ashley Keil prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers.

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