Former DISD employee, Delarosa sentenced to 60 years

Francisco Delarosa Jr., 49, was sentenced Friday to a total of 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for sexual assault of a child.

Soon after his divorce in 2014, Delarosa began a relationship with a 14-year-old girl. The two met during softball season, as his daughter and the victim were on the same all-star team. The two girls became fast friends and spent almost every weekend together at Delarosa’s home.

Delarosa was employed with Dayton ISD during this time while the victim was a student. During their courtship, Delarosa would bring the child food candy, and gift cards during lunch, with applicable Bible verses attached. Delarosa also became friends with the victim’s family and attended church and dinner with them.

When Hurricane Harvey hit in 2017, the now 16-year-old and her parents evacuated to a family member’s residence after their home flooded. Delarosa ended up at the residence, too, but was asked to leave soon after by the homeowner due to the inappropriate way Delarosa acted around the child.

The family members reported what they spoke to the school resource officer at Dayton ISD, Harris County Precinct 3 Deputy Christine Ruiz, and an investigation began. During that investigation, a search warrant was issued for Delarosa’s cell phone. After reading the search warrant over, Delarosa intentionally gave authorities the wrong cell phone, thereby thwarting discovery of the thousands of text messages sent between him and the victim.

Trial began in the 253rd Judicial District Court on Monday, Oct. 21, and continued until Friday, Oct. 25, with Judge Chap Cain presiding.

Delarosa took the stand during the trial and admitted to buying the then 15-year-old an engagement ring and kissing her on the mouth once or twice. However, even after strenuous cross examination from Liberty County District Attorney Logan Pickett, Delarosa would not admit to sexual relations with the child.

After hearing witness testimony and the presentation of an overwhelming amount of evidence in the form of cellphone records, cellphone extractions, gifts — including the engagement ring — records from Helzberg Diamonds confirming the ring purchase by Delarosa, and Amazon records confirming several gift purchases, a jury found Delarosa guilty on three counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of tampering with evidence, and one count of improper relationship between educator and student.

He was sentenced to maximum 20 years on each count of sexual assault of a child, five years for tampering, and the maximum 20 years on the improper relationship charge. He was also given the maximum fine of $10,000 on the sexual assault of a child charges.

Judge Cain “stacked” the sentence for the sexual assaults, thereby giving Delarosa a total of 60 years. He will have to serve at least 30 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Delarosa exhibited classic predator behavior and the jury, in handing down the maximum sentences, and Judge Cain, in stacking them, certainly agreed with the State that he needed to be forever removed from our community.