Midland Man Held on a Charge of Sexual Assault of a Child

Midland Reporter-Telegram
March 17, 2012

http://www.mywesttexas.com/top_stories/article_c893070c-b0ec-5c0a-90c9-69f2cd8cb8f9.html

William Jose Velasquez, 26, is being held on a $100,000 bond on a first-degree felony of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

A Midland man is being held on a $100,000 bond on a first-degree felony of aggravated sexual assault of a child in connection with an incident that occurred on the premises of St. Stephen's Catholic Church last May, according to Tasa Watts, the city's public information officer, and the Diocese of San Angelo.

William Jose Velasquez, 26, was arrested March 9 after the parish contacted police and said a young boy had been sexually assaulted, Watts said.

Velasquez is not an employee of the parish nor is he a member of the parish but he sometimes attends Mass there, said Mike Wyse, chancellor of the diocese.

As soon as diocese officials were informed of the incident, they began an investigation according to their policy for the "safety and security of children," said Bishop Michael Pfeifer.

"We have offered pastoral care and counseling to the child and the child's parents in hopes that the emotional, psychological and spiritual impact of the incident might be diminished," said Pfeifer in a statement released Friday night. "I am very saddened that this has happened and will work with all to bring this investigation to completion."

While bond has been set, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas has placed an immigration hold on Velasquez, meaning that he would be detained until an immigration hearing, Watts said.

If convicted, Velasquez could be sentenced between 5 and 99 years in prison. Attempts to reach his attorney Friday were unsuccessful.