Mariachi music teacher gets life for child sexual abuse
06/12/2026 3:00 pm PDT
BEXAR COUNTY, Texas (TCN) -- A 71-year-old man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a jury found him guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child.
In a press release, the office of Ken Paxton, Attorney General of Texas, announced the sentencing of Joe Suarez Jr. on June 11. The investigation into Suarez began in 2016 when an 8-year-old girl reported to her teacher that Suarez had sexually abused her. Two other children made similar reports, and they were referred to police, who conducted an investigation before transferring it to the Bexar County District Attorney’s office.
The case awaited grand jury presentation for several years. In 2023, it was transferred to another DA before eventually being sent to the attorney general.
A reinvestigation revealed Suarez offered music lessons to gain the trust of children. He reportedly abused several children in his home and in the cab of his 18-wheeler truck.
According to the press release, “Ten years after their initial outcries, the three victims had the opportunity to face their abuser and, through their testimony, reveal what the defendant believed they would never disclose.” Other experts who testified at the trial included a sexual assault nurse, a child abuse pediatrician, and forensic interviewers.
Suarez was given the maximum allowable sentence, life without parole and two 20-year sentences to be served consecutively.
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