TYLER COUNTY, Texas — A Burkeville man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison after requesting and accepting a plea deal for three counts of sexual assault of a child.
In December of 2012, the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation involving multiple girls between the ages of 6 to 14, from 2006 until 2013, according to a news release from the Tyler County Sheriff's Office.
In 2013, 45-year-old Prentice Ray Wood of Burkeville was arrested. The Attorney General’s Office agreed to handle the prosecution of the cases.
On Feb. 28th, 2022, Wood’s trial began and 12 witnesses testified.
At the end of the trial, the jury deliberated for less than three hours and found Wood guilty.
Prior to his sentencing before the Judge, Wood requested and accepted a plea agreement of 35 years in prison, according to the release.
With the plea agreement, Wood waived his right to appeal the guilty verdict.
From a Tyler County Sheriff's Office news release:
In December of 2012, the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office began an investigation involving multiple female children between the ages of 6 to 14, from 2006 until 2013.
Investigators from the Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Attorney General’s Office worked closely in gathering evidence and having arrest warrants issued for Prentice Ray Wood, age 45 of Burkeville. In 2013, Wood was arrested and the Attorney General’s Office agreed to handle the prosecution of the cases.
On February 28th, 2022, Wood’s trial began for 3 Counts of Sexual Assault of a Child. The State of Texas presented 12 witnesses that testified, and at the conclusion of the trial, the jury deliberated for less than 3 hours finding Wood guilty. Prior to his sentencing before the Judge, Wood requested and accepted a plea agreement of 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Prison System. With the plea agreement, Wood waived his right to appeal the guilty verdict.
