Jaded
February 16th, 2009, 11:15 PM
local woman has been credited by police with stopping the sexual abuse of her granddaughter by secretly videotaping the perpetrator in the act and reporting him to the police.
Seguin Police Detective Lt. Johnny San Miguel said Virgilio Joaquin Moguel-Coj, 43, a Mexican national who lives in Seguin, was booked Saturday evening on an allegation of indecency with a child. If proved at trial, the offense is a third-degree felony under the Texas Penal Code punishable by two to 10 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Larry Morawietz issued the warrant for Moguel-Coj’s arrest to Detective Curle Price on Saturday afternoon, and set bail at $75,000.
San Miguel said Moguel-Coj came to police attention at about 2 p.m. Saturday when the woman, who the detective did not identify, came to police with a surreptitiously recorded video of Moguel-Coj performing an unspecified lewd act in the child’s bedroom.
San Miguel said the woman, who had visitation rights to the child and who made the report, takes care of her every other weekend. She became suspicious, the detective said, when the girl made an outcry of abuse to her involving Moguel-Coj.
“She said, ‘Popo keeps messing with me,’” San Miguel said.
The woman placed a hidden camera in the girl’s bedroom in her home in the 800 block of Boenig Street, and when she checked the tape the next day, she brought it to police. San Miguel refused to divulge the nature of the offense caught on tape except to say it was a felony.
Price was called in to investigate the case on Saturday, and he sought an arrest warrant immediately, San Miguel said, because of concerns Moguel-Coj could flee the country to avoid prosecution. He was taken into custody just after 7 p.m.
Morawietz credited the woman for responding when her granddaughter called out for help — and for making the tape investigators believe will put Moguel-Coj in prison.
“She protected her grandchild, and she was pretty sharp,” Morawietz said. “This was pretty smart of her.”
Morawietz said any adult who learns of the possible abuse — sexual or otherwise — or exploitation of a minor, elderly or disabled person is required under the law to report it.
Under the law, a person making the report is immune from civil or criminal liability provided the report is made in good faith. Under the law, investigators keep the name of the person making the report confidential. Failing to make an abuse report is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
http://seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=f025c518d07c8cf9
Seguin Police Detective Lt. Johnny San Miguel said Virgilio Joaquin Moguel-Coj, 43, a Mexican national who lives in Seguin, was booked Saturday evening on an allegation of indecency with a child. If proved at trial, the offense is a third-degree felony under the Texas Penal Code punishable by two to 10 years in state prison and a $10,000 fine.
Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Larry Morawietz issued the warrant for Moguel-Coj’s arrest to Detective Curle Price on Saturday afternoon, and set bail at $75,000.
San Miguel said Moguel-Coj came to police attention at about 2 p.m. Saturday when the woman, who the detective did not identify, came to police with a surreptitiously recorded video of Moguel-Coj performing an unspecified lewd act in the child’s bedroom.
San Miguel said the woman, who had visitation rights to the child and who made the report, takes care of her every other weekend. She became suspicious, the detective said, when the girl made an outcry of abuse to her involving Moguel-Coj.
“She said, ‘Popo keeps messing with me,’” San Miguel said.
The woman placed a hidden camera in the girl’s bedroom in her home in the 800 block of Boenig Street, and when she checked the tape the next day, she brought it to police. San Miguel refused to divulge the nature of the offense caught on tape except to say it was a felony.
Price was called in to investigate the case on Saturday, and he sought an arrest warrant immediately, San Miguel said, because of concerns Moguel-Coj could flee the country to avoid prosecution. He was taken into custody just after 7 p.m.
Morawietz credited the woman for responding when her granddaughter called out for help — and for making the tape investigators believe will put Moguel-Coj in prison.
“She protected her grandchild, and she was pretty sharp,” Morawietz said. “This was pretty smart of her.”
Morawietz said any adult who learns of the possible abuse — sexual or otherwise — or exploitation of a minor, elderly or disabled person is required under the law to report it.
Under the law, a person making the report is immune from civil or criminal liability provided the report is made in good faith. Under the law, investigators keep the name of the person making the report confidential. Failing to make an abuse report is a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
http://seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=f025c518d07c8cf9