SAN MARCOS,
Texas –
Hays County Legal District Lawyer Kelly Higgins introduced as we speak that 28-year-old Benjamin Cearley of New Braunfels was sentenced to seven years in jail on June 13, 2025.
On June 12, 2025, a jury discovered Benjamin Cearley responsible of two counts of sexual assault. The proof at trial confirmed that Cearley was an acquaintance of the sufferer. He gave her a experience residence after work after which sexually assaulted her inside her residence. After the offense occurred, the sufferer thought to make use of her telephone to document a dialog between herself and the defendant, throughout which the defendant admitted he was conscious that the sufferer had informed him “no” and that she didn’t need something sexual to occur between them. One other lady additionally testified throughout the trial concerning the defendant’s try and sexually assault her inside her residence as nicely.
After the jury discovered the defendant responsible of each counts of sexual assault, the punishment section of the trial started. The jurors heard extra testimony from the sufferer and her good friend, detailing the traumatic impact the crime had on the sufferer. The defendant had no prior prison historical past and was eligible for probation. The jury finally returned a sentence of seven years in jail for the primary rely of sexual assault and two years in jail for the second rely of sexual assault.
After sentencing, the sufferer selected to provide an announcement. She mentioned, partly, “I’ll always remember the ache I’ve endured, however I’m not letting it outline my future. I’m pleased with myself. I’m pleased with myself for going by with this, for standing right here as we speak and talking my reality. It has been an extended and painful journey, and it’s taken all the pieces in me to get so far. I understand how tough it’s for victims to come back ahead, to discuss one thing so painful and uncooked. Many individuals, in any case this time, would have stayed silent. Many by no means do. However I selected to talk. I selected to share my story, to make my voice heard. And I’ll by no means remorse that.
“I hope that my braveness to face up will remind others that they aren’t alone, that they can also discover the energy to combat, even when the scars really feel too deep to heal. I hope that, not directly, this can assist carry closure — not just for myself, however for anybody who has lived with this sort of trauma, with this sort of betrayal.
“To the one who assaulted me, Benjamin Cearley: What you probably did to me was flawed. You took one thing from me that you just had no proper to take. However you’ll not take my future. My life, my therapeutic, and my pleasure belong to me—and I’m claiming them again, piece by piece.
“Thanks to the Court docket for giving me the area to share my story. This second isn’t the tip of my journey, however a turning level. I’m shifting ahead—not due to what occurred, however despite it.”
The San Marcos Police Division investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant Legal District Attorneys Jessica Rabena and Elizabeth Schmidt.
“We need to thank the sufferer on this case for her bravery in reporting this horrific crime and for having the energy to face the defendant in Court docket and testify,” Schmidt mentioned. “I hope her braveness will encourage others who’ve been victims of those crimes to come back ahead and share their tales. We additionally need to thank the jurors for his or her service and the San Marcos Police Division for his or her work investigating the case. Justice has prevailed.”