A Wichita Falls man was given a maximum sentence behind bars for sexually assaulting a boy in the restroom of a public park.
At the trial of 52-year-old Harvey James Neil, a jury found him guilty of one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child – a first-degree felony – Friday in the 89th District Court.
The punishment phase of the trial began Friday afternoon, and jurors sentenced Neil to life in prison. Per law, he will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.
According to court documents:
On April 28, 2016, Wichita Falls police were called to a disturbance at Spudder Park on Tulsa Street.
The officers were informed that a boy told adults he had just been sexually assaulted by Neil in the public restroom at the park.
The adults saw Neil exit the bathroom shortly after the boy made his disclosure.
The child was taken to Patsy's House Child Advocacy Center the next day to be forensically interviewed.
The boy said he was at the park when he met Neil, whom he knew.
He said they began wrestling around in a sandbox, and Neil began licking his ear and feeling in the boy's pants.
The boy said afterwards he went to the nearby public restroom, and Neil followed him and began touching the boy inappropriately.
Neil then partially removed his own pants and forced the boy to perform sexual acts on him.
The boy said afterwards he ran from the restroom and informed other adults.
A records check revealed Neil has a history of criminal charges ranging from assault to drug offenses.