BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont man has accepted a plea deal for aggravated sexual assault of a child and will spend 12 years in prison.
The indictment states that 61-year-old Jerry Dale McCown Jr. sexually assaulted a girl younger than 17-years-old in 2020.
McCown gave the victim alcohol and then sexually assaulted her after she passed out, according to the probable cause affidavit. When the victim reported it, McCown at first only admitted to giving her alcohol.
He then agreed to a polygraph test but after the pre-examination interview, he changed his mind. McCown then said he hoped he didn't do anything to the victim because he had also been drinking and had taken medication.
McCown said he hoped he hadn't done what the child said he had done, but wasn't certain, according to the affidavit.
He then agreed to go through with the polygraph test and his answers were deceptive. After that McCown said he must have committed the offense, but was too drunk to remember doing anything.
Before the punishment phase of the trial began, McCown withdrew his not guilty plea and accepted a plea offer for 12 years in prison. If the jury sentenced him they could have given him from five to 99 years or life in prison.
He will have to register as a sex offender.
