FARMER, TX – A former deputy with the Parmer County Sheriff's Office has been sentenced to life in prison after he was convicted for preying on children at his church.

According to KTXS, back in November 2019 26-year-old Davin Seth Waters was convicted for transportation of minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

During the sentencing hearing on Thursday, prosecutors detailed the abuse victims had suffered at the hands of Waters.

Prosecutors told the court how Waters used his position as a sheriff's deputy, childcare volunteer, and Tae Kwon Do instructor to coerce children into performing sex acts. 

The investigation into Waters began after a fellow member of First Baptist Church in Texico, N.M reported the former deputy for sexually abusing a child. Waters admitted that during his time as a volunteer in the children's ministry he has unlawfully touched an 8-year-old child on multiple occasions.

As the owner of the Tae Kwon Do (TKD) in Bovina, Waters engaged in illicit sexual conduct with a 13-year-old at the studio and with a TKD student that was between 9-10.

According to court documents, Waters also drove two minors from New Mexico to his home in Farwell to spend the night. Waters then performed sexual acts on the 10- and 11-year-old children. Waters also gave the 10-year-old pills to render them unconscious.

According to court documents, Waters’ victim stated they were afraid because he was “big” and they believed he could “hurt” them.

During the investigation, FBI agents determined Waters has abused and sexually exploited seven children.

The joint investigation was conducted by the FBI's Dallas Field Office, the Texas Rangers, and Curry County, New Mexico Sheriff’s Office.

“This life sentence confirms the important message that exploiting children in any form will not be tolerated,” said U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “While this sentence will not repair the pain and damage done to the victims, it will ensure that Mr. Waters will never have the opportunity to prey upon children of our community again.”

"Today's life sentence demonstrates the FBI's commitment to holding sexual predators accountable for their crimes and removes a dangerous threat from our community," said FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. "We will continue working with our partners to ensure that children are protected from abuse and exploitation."

The case against Waters was part of Project Safe Childhood, a Justice Department initiative that is designed to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The initiative organizes federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.