Geronimo Aguilar, ex-Richmond mega church pastor, to be sentenced on child sex charges

By Joe St. George
WTVR
October 12, 2015

http://wtvr.com/2015/10/12/geronimo-aguilar-pastor-g-tarrant-county-child-sex-crimes-sentence/

TARRANT COUNTY, Tex. -- Sentencing will begin Monday for the former pastor and founder of Richmond mega church The ROC who was convicted of child sexual assault in Texas.

A jury found Geronimo Aguilar, who was known has Pastor G., guilty earlier this year of sex crimes against two sisters who say he abused them starting when they were 11 and 13. They said it happened in the 90s while he was a pastor at their church there in Houston. The 13 year old said she was raped by Aguilar.

His attorneys have repeatedly said he is innocent and are vowing to appeal. But that is something WTVR CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone said could hurt him during sentencing.

"One of the big factors they consider is whether someone expresses remorse because that is one of the first steps to rehabilitation,” Stone said. “And in this case he really hasn't and I think in this case that is something that is really going to count against him.”

Two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child carry a maximum sentence of life in prison. Three counts of sexual assault of a child under 17 and two counts of indecency with a child, each second-degree felonies, carry maximum sentences of 20 years.

As a result, Aguilar could face life behind bars after being convicted of seven counts of sexual abuse. Sentencing proceedings are expected to last at least two days.

Aguilar served as pastor and founder of the ROC church, which was recently renamed. He was fired in 2014.