Molester asks for prison without 'a lot of murderers'

SAN ANTONIO — A man who sexually assaulted a girl for four years, starting when she was in kindergarten, was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison.

Robert Lopez, 38, was initially charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child but pleaded no contest last month to a lesser charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child and accepted a deal that capped his possible punishment at 25 years in prison.

The first-degree felony offense usually is punishable by up to life in prison.

In a note sent to state District Judge Ray Olivarri prior to his sentencing, Lopez wrote that he was “remorseful” for the crime, according to court files.

“I do repent for all my sins, including this one. I am ashamed for my actions. ... I am sorry for hurting every one involved, not only for the victim, but for my family as well,” he said before asking the judge to send him “to a penitentiary that does not have a lot of murderers and to one that can give me help for my alcohol and with this type of offense.”

The girl told authorities she would try to hide under the covers from Lopez.

But on the night of June 29, 2011, when she called her grandmother in tears to report the abuse, he “found me,” she said.

Lopez had instructed her not to tell anyone, and she seemed hesitant to explain the assaults to investigators, saying “you're supposed to listen to” adults, documents state.

She also said she was scared of Lopez and the continued assaults caused her to have “bad dreams and nightmares every night.”

The night she called her grandmother, court documents state, the grandmother immediately called police and both parties showed up at the West Side apartment.

According to police reports, Lopez initially refused to open the door for authorities, but when he did, the 9-year-old girl ran into the parking lot and into her grandmother's arms.

mcasady@express-news.net