Investigation leads to indecency charges

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

A Granite Shoals man, arrested on four counts of Indeciency with a Child, remained in the Burnet County Jail Thursday evening, Feb. 16.

No bond had been set for Leonides Garcia, 56, who was booked into the jail Wednesday.

The Granite Shoals Police Department issued a brief statement that the action followed communication with the Hill Country Children's Advocacy Center (HCCAC) “due to an interview that was being conducted with several juveniles.”

“Allegations that came out of the interview determined that a family member had inappropriate contact with the juveniles on several occasions, two to three years prior,” said the statement from Patrol Sgt. Chris Decker. “The outcry had just been made recently.”

The HCCAC operates the Sunshine House in Burnet that serves children and families that experience trauma in Burnet, Llano, Blanco Lampasas, Llano, Mason and San Saba counties, including anonymous intervention in sexual abuse.

“After review of the forensic interview and consultation with the District Attorney’s Office, warrants on four counts of Indecency with a Child were obtained,” said the GSPD statement.

On Feb. 15, the suspect, Leonides Garcia, (WM DOB 7/19/60), was located and arrested.

Garcia is still in the Burnet County jail with no bond information available at this time.

“This is an ongoing investigation,” said Decker, noting that Garcia had no prior assaultive or sex offenses in his criminal history.