A San Marcos man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, according to the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

Guilty plea entered before trial began

Prosecutors said Luis Rangel, 50, pleaded guilty on March 10, 2026, to three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. The sentence was handed down in Hays County, with the prison terms ordered to run concurrently, meaning they will be served at the same time. The plea came one day after a jury had been selected and just moments before opening statements were scheduled to begin in the trial, according to the district attorney’s office.

Allegations span several years

Authorities said Rangel was indicted in 2023 following an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused his step-granddaughter between the ages of 7 and 12. The investigation began after the victim made a delayed outcry in 2022, officials said.

The counts to which Rangel pleaded guilty relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in 2014, 2017, and 2020. According to the district attorney’s office, the child victim did not have to testify at trial because the case was resolved through the guilty plea. Prosecutors stated the victim was present during the plea and sentencing and spoke in court about the trauma she continues to experience as a result of the abuse.

Investigation and prosecution

The case was investigated by the Austin Police Department and the San Marcos Police Department. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Daniel Saikda prosecuted the case, with assistance from Sandra Groters, Avery Slocum, Zoie Sanders, and Sergeant Investigator Robert Torres, according to the district attorney’s office.

In a statement, Story thanked jurors and the victim.

“We want to thank the jury for dedicating their time,” Story said. “Without their willingness to serve, a plea agreement would not have been reached. I would also like to thank the victim for her bravery, and we hope that the closing of this chapter will open one that leads to continued healing with the assurance that this man finally paid for the long-term damage he has done.”

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