Houston County Child Predator Sentenced to 65 Years in Prison

Robert Garza, Jr., 46, has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the aggravated child molestation and sexual exploitation of two young girls in Houston County. The sentencing, which includes 25 years to be served without the possibility of parole, followed a trial that concluded on June 12 with a guilty verdict on a 26-count indictment.

The horrifying abuse came to light about a year and a half after it began in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Garza, a neighbor and close friend of the victims’ parents, frequently stayed overnight at their home. During these visits, he committed various sexual acts against the children, who were both nine years old at the time.

Investigation Uncovers Digital Evidence

The abuse was finally reported when one of the victims confided in a friend, who then told her parents. This led to a report to the Division of Family and Children Services and subsequently to the Houston County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Adrienne Hilton of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Division led the investigation. The children were interviewed at the Rainbow House, a Child Advocacy Center in Warner Robins, where they disclosed the abuse. They also revealed that Garza had given them phones, which he used to share child pornography.

Sgt. Hilton obtained Garza’s cellphone at the time of his arrest and secured a search warrant. The phone was then analyzed by Lt. Darin Meadows, a supervisor in the Juvenile Division and a digital forensics expert. Meadows successfully recovered multiple photos and videos containing child pornography from the device. Text messages found on the phone also suggested Garza believed he was in a relationship with one of the child victims.

“A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing”

The trial began on June 9 and, after just two hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a guilty verdict on June 12. Garza was sentenced on June 18.

Houston County Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane commented on the case, stating, “This is yet another classic example of sexual abuse being perpetrated by those you least expect. The defendant was a well-liked man in his community… He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Duane emphasized the bravery of the child who told her friend, which ultimately brought the abuse to light.

Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards echoed these sentiments, expressing pride in the collaborative effort. “This predator wormed his way into the lives of a family and inflicted unthinkable harm on two little girls who trusted him… he will now spend likely the remainder of his life in a prison cell where he belongs,” Edwards stated. He specifically thanked Sgt. Hilton, Lt. Meadows, the team at the Rainbow House, and the courageous young victims for setting justice in motion.

The Houston County Sheriff’s Office also extended its gratitude to Sgt. Adrienne Hilton for her “outstanding work in securing justice,” along with the Rainbow House, Assistant District Attorney Justin Duane, and the jury. They emphasized that this collaborative effort has helped protect children and ensure a dangerous predator is behind bars.