On Wednesday, March 10, 2021, a jury sentenced Defendant James Ray Bates, 65, to 99 years in prison for failing to comply with his sex offender registration requirements. The sentence followed a contested trial in the 221st District Court, the Honorable Judge Lisa Michalk presiding. Prosecutors Kevin Bratcher and Rob Freyer presented evidence that Bates was unlawfully present at the Sacred Heart Catholic School on Friday, April 26, 2019. At the time, both students and teachers were outside the school building following a Friday morning Mass. As a registered sex offender, Bates knew that he was prohibited from entering school grounds and that should he do so, he would be guilty of committing a felony offense. Nevertheless, Bates walked through a line of students and approached a student’s father to ask for money for food. The father offered to provide Bates food directly, but Bates rejected the offer. Bates then began yelling and refused to leave. Fortunately, Conroe Police Department Officer Christenson was at Sacred Heart providing security for the students. Officer Christenson approached Bates. Officer Christenson arrested Bates when Bates produced his sex offender registration card as a means to identify himself. Following a conviction by the jury for the offense of Failure to Comply With Sex Offender Registration.
from montgomerycountypolicereporter.com
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