A 27-year-old Levelland man faces between 20 years to life in prison after admitting this month in federal court he abducted a 9-year-old in August to rape her.
Damien Dre Gonzales pleaded guilty last week to a federal count of kidnapping before U.S. Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant.
His charge stems from an Aug. 23 arrest when police in Levelland caught him in his vehicle with a 9-year-old girl, who said he tried to rape her.
Gonzales and the girl, who are not related, both attended a birthday party in Levelland earlier that day.
The girl went to the party with her father, who rushed to help a woman who was choking. Gonzales used the chaos to trick the girl into leaving with him by asking her to help him take beer to his vehicle, according to federal court documents.
Levelland man pleads guilty to abducting 9-year-old girl Damien Dre Gonzales (Source: LCDC) By KCBD Staff | February 17, 2021 at 1:56 PM CST - Updated February 17 at 1:56 PM
LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) - A West Texas man pleaded guilty Wednesday morning to abducting a 9-year-old girl from a birthday party, announced Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Prerak Shah.
Damien Dre Gonzales, 27, of Levelland, Texas pleaded guilty to one count of kidnapping before Magistrate Judge D. Gordon Bryant, Jr.
“No child should ever have to endure the terror of being abducted,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Prerak Shah. “I am thankful for the rapid response of law enforcement to rescue this child and ensure that this defendant will never again victimize children.”