Fort Bend County resident Oluwafemi Otunbalogun was convicted of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact by a Fort Bend County jury on July 16. Evidence presented by prosecutors Jessica Ramos and Tristyl McInnis of the District Attorney’s Office Child Abuse Division revealed that the 50-year-old Otunbalogun sexually abused his victim on multiple occasions over a six month period when she was 16-years-old. The child had the courage to disclose the abuse when she met with an investigator for the Department of Family and Protective Services (commonly referred to as Child Protective Services, or CPS) for unrelated reasons. The sexual offenses occurred at the defendant’s residence in Missouri City. Houston Police Department Detective Mikki Stevens investigated the case. Evidence showed that Otunbalogun had recently brought the victim to the United States from Nigeria with the promise of a better life. Following the guilty verdict, the defendant elected to have the judge assess punishment. On Aug. 7, 434th District Court Judge James H. Shoemake sentenced Otunbalogun to 15 years in prison.

Likewise, a jury convicted Sugar Land resident Anthony Autrie Johnson of the offenses of Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact on Aug. 1. Prosecutors Jessica Ramos and Tristyl McInnis again represented the state in the trial before Presiding Judge Shoemake of the 434th District Court. Evidence revealed that the 39-year-old defendant had known the child he abused for a number of years, and that she had trusted him. Her testimony revealed that Johnson also threatened to sexually abuse her younger sibling. Johnson elected to be sentenced by the jury, but when he failed to appear in court the following day, sentencing proceeded in his absence. On Aug. 2 the jury assessed 15 years in prison for Sexual Assault of a Child and 8 years for Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. Johnson was apprehended that same day. Judge Shoemake sentenced the defendant on Aug. 12, ordering that the sentences run consecutively. The case was investigated by Detective Michael Alexander with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Johnson was probation eligible.

“The strength and bravery these two victims showed in facing their abusers and testifying about the painful details of the abuse is undisputed,” said Jessica Ramos, lead prosecutor in both trials. “Both girls will be attending college this fall, and we are excited for them as they transition into bright futures ahead, now that justice has been done by the citizens of our community.”

“We are proud of the accomplishments of these remarkable young girls, and the resiliency and perseverance they have shown throughout the process,” added prosecutor McInnis. “We also appreciate the hard work of the detectives and CPS caseworkers on these cases.”

Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact are both second-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.

“We are going to protect the children of Fort Bend County. And those that prey upon them will know that we are serious,” said District Attorney Brian Middleton. “Whether it’s human trafficking, internet predators, or whatever type of child abuse; we will aggressively pursue these charges – and justice. It is our job, our duty, our cause. Our future demands nothing less.”