In a recent announcement, Ellis County and District Attorney Ann Montgomery revealed that Joseph Lavon Green, a 51-year-old resident of Palmer, Texas, has been convicted after a jury trial. Green was found guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child and three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child.
The conviction stems from incidents that occurred between 2008 and 2015, during which Green repeatedly sexually abused a child known to him in his Ennis and Palmer homes. Testimony during the trial included a second victim who stated she was also sexually abused by Green during her childhood. Additionally, it was revealed that Green had a prior conviction in 1995 for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl in Connecticut.
Following his arrest, Green admitted to the abuse in a statement to the police. Shockingly, he claimed that the prepubescent child had "activated" his sexual desires and suggested that females throughout his life, including family members, neighbors, strangers, and correction officers, were attracted to him and assaulted him.
The sentencing range for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child is twenty-five to ninety-nine years or Life without parole. The sentences for Sexual Assault of a Child counts are automatically enhanced to Life if the jury finds a prior conviction for child sexual assault.
On January 23, 2024, the jury returned a swift verdict of guilty on all counts and subsequently delivered a punishment verdict of four life sentences. Visiting judge Justice David Evans, overseeing the 443rd District Court, ordered the sentences to run consecutively, ensuring that each sentence will commence after the completion of the previous one.
District Attorney Ann Montgomery commended the survivors for their courage in coming forward, acknowledging the devastating impact of living with such a secret. She stated, "This jury courageously sentenced Green to what he deserved. The multiple life sentences ensure that this predator cannot hurt any more children."
The prosecution team, consisting of Assistant County and District Attorneys James Zaleta and Ashley Indelicato, along with the assistance of County and District Attorney Investigators Todd Woodruff and Luis Hinojosa, played a crucial role in presenting the case. The investigation was led by Sgt. Richard Hundley and Investigator Philip Shelton of the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office.
