A local man was sentenced to life in prison Thursday after pleading guilty to charges related to a child trafficking and sex abuse case.
Paul Mayo pleaded guilty in 54th District Court to continuous trafficking of a person and continuous sexual abuse of a child. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on both counts.
According to a release from the McLennan County District Attorney's Office, Mayo was already a convicted sex offender when he came to know the child in this case.
Mayo is said to have groomed and sexually abused the child for years after having the child and his mother move in with him. Even after he moved away, the sexual abuse continued during visits. Authorities also say Mayo bought porn as the child grew older.
A Waco PD detective's investigation uncovered years of sexual abuse endured by the child.
“We are incredibly grateful for the work Waco PD Detective Kimberly Clark did in bringing this truly horrific predator to justice," said Assistant District Attorney Hilary LaBorde. "This plea agreement will make sure that this sex offender will never have access to a child again and sends a strong message that McLennan County will not tolerate the exploitation of our children.“
