A McLennan County jury sentenced a Groesbeck man to life in prison however police must find him first.
Aurelio Ibarra, was missing for the final day in court as a juror convened for the punishment phase.
Ibarra was last seen in Court on Tuesday after taking the stand. Out on bond, he was free to go expected to return the next morning.
When the court reconvened Wednesday, Ibarra was absent. The case continued as scheduled, with the jury returning a guilty verdict in less than two hours.
The jury gave Ibarra the maximum sentence, life in prison for the offense of continuous sexual abuse of a child. On the second count, indecency with a child, Ibarra was sentenced to 20 years and a $10,000 fine.
The District Attorney’s office says it is too early to determine whether or not they will file additional charges on Ibarra for failing to appear.
The US Marshall’s, Fugitive Task Force, is now responsible with finding and returning Ibarra.
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