Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Aggravated Sexual Assault of 4-Year-old

A 34-year-old San Angelo man was sentenced to 50 years in prison in Judge Tom Gossett’s District Court on Monday, following a slew of probation violations on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Ronald Lee Verdi, pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child on July 11, 2011, after entering a plea bargain to dismiss two additional felony charges, including aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child sexual contact. The victim of the offense was listed as a 4-year-old girl.

Verdi was sentenced to six years adult probation for the offense, however a violation report completed by the Concho Valley Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) lists continual violations of the probation terms from November 2012 to June 2014.

Some of the violations listed in the report include failure to attend counseling sessions and complete homework, admitted unauthorized contact with minors, failure to pay fees, the use of K2 synthetic marijuana while on probation and deliberately recording group therapy sessions intended to use as a threat against the counselor, the violation report states.

The positive result for K2 was returned following a urinalysis on Nov. 28, 2013. Distraught by the onsite results, Verdi claimed his wife was associating with people of impeachable character. She later called the probation office and said there had been friends at their house recently, who brewed a batch of tea she thought might have contained cannabinoids.

At the next visit, Verdi brought along a Lipton Green Ice Tea bottle with a bit of clear green liquid inside and said his wife had left it lying about, then asked if it could be tested for K2. After being informed it was not possible, Verdi later admitted in a counseling session that he had asked his wife to call and fabricate the teatime story.

Verdi also admitted to recording the sex offender therapy group sessions, but later stated he had done so while on hydrocodone prescribed for a back injury and couldn’t remember things clearly. The violation report states that another version was later provided by Verdi, who had admitted to recording the sessions in retaliation against the counselor, who was “persecuting” him.

As a result of the repeated violations, Verdi was discharged from the counseling services and the counselor recommended that he be considered for long-term incarceration.

Verdi’s probation was amended and he was sentenced to 45-120 days in the State Contracted Immediate Sanctions Facility (ISF). His probation was extended an additional three years, and he was ordered to attend Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous classes.

After his release from ISF, Verdi continued to violate the terms of his probation by not attending counseling sessions and failing to report an arrest in Glasscock County for driving while license invalid.

Assistant District Attorney Meagan White filed a motion to revoke deferred adjudication probation and to proceed to adjudicate guilt on July 14. On July 23, Verdi was arrested and booked into Tom Green County Jail.

On Monday, Dec. 16, Judge tom Gossett revoked Verdi’s probation and sentenced him to 50 years confinement.

In response to Gossett's judgement, 51st District Attorney Allison Palmer said, "I commend Judge Gossett on his sentencing decision in this case. Seeking justice for abused children in our community is one of our office’s highest priorities."

Aggravated sexual assault of a child is a first-degree felony punishable by 5-99 years in prison and an optional $10k fine.