Crime in Houston: Man sent to prison for sexually abusing girls

HOUSTON – A man who sexually abused two girls and reportedly tried to kill them after they told their family was sentenced this week.

Jose Orbin Martinez-Lopez, 46, who lived in Houston, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty in May to aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14, the Harris County District Attorney's Office said.

In a press release sent Friday, prosecutors said he broke into a home in southwest Houston on September 10, 2020, and attacked the girls, who were then 11 and 12 years old. Martinez-Lopez was able to get into the house through a small window.

Prosecutors said he knew the family and had been to the house several times. They also said he had sexually abused both girls before. The girls reportedly told their family about the sexual assaults, and Martinez-Lopez broke into the house to try to kill them.

He reportedly slit a girl's throat. When her sister came to help, he locked her in a closet and set fire to the house, according to prosecutors. He then fled.

First responders were able to find and rescue the girls.

“I've been a prosecutor for 24 years and this was one of the worst cases I've ever seen,” said Denise Nichols, chief of the district attorney's office's crimes against children unit. “After learning what these girls went through, it's just incredible how much courage they had – this was their moment to tell what happened, get justice and move on.”

Martinez-Lopez was arrested while trying to board a flight to his native Honduras.

The two victims testified before the judge on Tuesday when the verdict was announced. The judge then announced the verdict.

Martinez-Lopez will be eligible for parole in 30 years. He cannot appeal the conviction.