A Galveston County jury sentenced Jesus Jose Pena Sr., 46, of Texas City to 90 years in prison Wednesday, July 29, after convicting him of continuous sexual abuse of young children under the age of 14.

Pena will never be eligible for parole.

Jurors also imposed a $10,000 fine following a two-day trial in the 212th Judicial District Court. They deliberated less than an hour before finding Pena guilty.

Four victims, now adults, testified about abuse they endured throughout their childhoods. One told the court the abuse began when she was 4 years old. Another testified it started monthly before escalating to weekly. Evidence showed the abuse spanned roughly 15 years.

The investigation began in June 2025 after Texas City police officers responded to a residence where they learned Pena had confessed to sexually abusing several children, according to the Galveston County Daily News. The Texas City Police Department investigated the case.

During the punishment phase, Pena took the stand. He described himself as "a monster" but also characterized the abuse as normal, according to prosecutors.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Quinten McConico of the Galveston County Criminal DA's Office, which prosecutes cases countywide including in League City, tried the case alongside ADA Brianna Stark. During closing arguments, McConico urged jurors to ensure Pena never returned to the community.

"These girls do not need to look forward to the day the defendant gets out," McConico told jurors, according to Fox 26.

Under Texas Penal Code § 21.02, continuous sexual abuse of a child is a first-degree felony carrying 25 to 99 years or life in prison. The 90-year sentence lands near the top of that statutory range. Pena also faces lifetime sex offender registration.

The verdict was announced in a news release from the office of DA Kenneth A. Cusick. Residents who suspect child abuse can report it to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at 1-800-252-5400 or online at txabusehotline.org.