East Austin pastor avoids prison for child sexual assault with plea deal | KABB

A man charged with sexual assault of a child while he served as an associate pastor at an East Austin church will avoid prison after pleading guilty to a lesser charge.

Ruben Garcia was arrested and charged last year in Hays County.

According to the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Garcia was affiliated with the Betania Baptist Church located at 1117 Tillery St.

Now, the Hays County District Attorney's Office says Garcia has entered a plea to the charge of enticing a child, and was placed on 10 years deferred adjudication, during which he must avoid children other than his own grandchildren.

East Austin pastor avoids prison for child sexual assault with plea deal | KABB: Ruben Garcia