Plea Bargain Postponed for Defendant Facing Four Counts of Lewd Acts with a Child

SAN ANGELO, TX — A San Angelo man facing four counts of sexual assault of a child will have to wait longer to learn his fate after a District Judge Thursday postponed his plea bargain hearing. 45-year-old Eric John Pedroza was in District Judge Carmen Dusek’s courtroom Thursday ready to accept a plea bargain offered by the District Attorney’s office. The details of the plea weren’t announced in court. Pedroza is out on bond. Pedroza had signed a packet of paperwork that was given to Judge Dusek. After the judge read over the information she told the attorneys she had reservations about the plea offer and wanted to meet with defense attorneys and prosecutors in her chambers. The meeting lasted about five minutes. The judge and attorneys returned to the courtroom. Judge Dusek said the unidentified victim’s mother agreed the plea deal was best for the victim, but the court had not heard from the victim herself. The victim is now 18-years-old and the judge said the victim has the right to comment on the plea bargain before it is set. The victim also has the right to give the court a victim impact statement either in writing or in person. Judge Dusek said the plea hearing will be postponed until the court hears from the victim. Pedroza is facing three counts of sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. All four counts are second degree felonies punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The alleged assault occurred in June 2016.