A jury convicted a 71-year-old man of sexually abusing multiple children, and a judge sentenced him to life in prison without parole.
SAN ANTONIO — A Bexar County jury has convicted a 71-year-old man of sexually abusing multiple children, resulting in a life sentence without the possibility of parole.
Attorney General Ken Paxton announced Thursday that Joe Suarez Jr. was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child after a four-day trial.
Following the conviction, a judge sentenced Suarez to life in prison without parole, along with two consecutive 20-year prison terms, the maximum punishment allowed under state law.
The case began in 2016 when an 8-year-old child disclosed sexual abuse to a teacher. Investigators later learned two additional victims had also been abused by Suarez.
According to prosecutors, Suarez used his role as a mariachi instructor to gain the trust of children and their families before sexually abusing multiple victims. Authorities said some of the abuse occurred inside his home, while other incidents took place in the cab of his 18-wheeler while he worked as a truck driver.
After years of investigation and legal proceedings, the Office of the Attorney General took over the case in late 2023 and conducted a new investigation that ultimately led to Suarez’s indictment in 2025.
During the trial, jurors heard testimony from medical experts, investigators, forensic interviewers and family members. The three victims also testified, describing years of abuse.
Attorney General Paxton said the sentence ensures Suarez will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
