GALVESTON — A Galveston County jury sentenced Leonard Geters Jr. to life in prison after convicting him of sexually assaulting his girlfriend’s 15-year-old daughter while she was incapacitated, according to the Galveston County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.

The jury returned its guilty verdict Wednesday, Oct. 7, following testimony from the victim, who is now 17.

During trial, the victim testified that she was home alone with Geters when she had friends over to drink and socialize. After her friends left, Geters offered her marijuana, according to prosecutors.

The victim testified that she became ill and began having seizures after smoking the marijuana. She said Geters took her to the bathroom, undressed her and placed her in a bath before taking her to her bed.

The victim testified that she remembered Geters sexually assaulting her before she lost consciousness. She also described previous incidents of inappropriate touching after Geters moved into the home with her mother, according to prosecutors.

The victim waited several months before disclosing the allegations to a school counselor, prompting a criminal investigation by the Galveston Police Department.

During the trial, Assistant District Attorneys Erika Mercado and Madison Flores presented evidence of Geters’ previous conviction for indecency with a child by sexual contact. Prosecutors also called Cheryl McCarty of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Galveston County, who testified about delayed disclosures and the victim’s emotional responses during forensic interviews.

Following the guilty verdict, prosecutors presented additional evidence during the punishment phase, including a 2017 conviction for failure to register as a sex offender and a prior child abuse conviction.

According to the district attorney’s office, the prior conviction made Geters eligible for an enhanced sentence of life in prison if the jury found the enhancement allegation to be true.

After approximately 30 minutes of deliberation, the jury sentenced Geters to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after 30 years, according to prosecutors.

The Criminal District Attorney’s Office recognized Detective Mandy Hendrick, the Galveston Police Department and McCarty for their work on the case.

The case was prosecuted in the 10th Judicial District Court before Judge Rebecca Millo under cause number 25CR4721.