Former Big Spring Detective Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison

BIG SPRING, TX -- Last week, former Big Spring detective Joel Rojo was sentenced to a total of 52 years in prison for the charges of indecency with a child, sexual performance, indecency with a child by exposure and attempted indecency with a child by exposure. Each charge was issued a different sentence, with the longest sentence being 20 years in prison, but all four sentences will be served concurrently.  

Howard County District Attorney Hardy Wilkerson said Rojo will have to serve at least 10 years before he's able to apply for any kind of parole. Rojo will also be required to register as a sex offender. 

In August 2015, the Big Spring Police Department was informed of several allegations involving Rojo. In April 2016, Rojo was arrested and charged with indecency with a child, sexual performance. Rojo was connected to two separate allegations, one from August of 2015 and the second from October of 2015. 

Court documents showed that Rojo attempted to take photos of a child's private area while he was investigating three separate cases. On April 12, 2016, a grand jury of the 118th District Court issued five criminal indictments against Officer Rojo; Rojo was later arrested on those indictments. 

The indictments read that Rojo took three victims between the age of 12 to 14 to a secluded parking lot where he would then try to convince the victims to expose themselves to him. 

In June of 2016, officials with the Big Spring Police Department said Rojo was immediately placed on administrative leave from the department pending the outcome of the criminal and administrative investigations.

Wilkerson felt the recent  sentencing would bring some relief to those involved. He told Newswest 9,  ''These cases came to light in August 2015 and you look at today, it's two years later. It's been a long long process and we're greatly relieved it's come to a conclusion."

Rojo was taken to the jail where he awaits his transportation to prison in the next 90 days.