Jason Smith, 40, was found guilty by a Lubbock jury on Wednesday of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years old.
Court records obtained after Smith’s arrest in 2024 stated the sexual abuse took place in 2012, then later again in 2021.
The victim sat in court for hours and told the story almost a dozen times, describing what happened in detail. During closing arguments, prosecutor Russell Mayne said the first three incidents happened in New Hampshire, then six happened in Lubbock County. That was all before the victim turned 14 years old. Later, there were two more incidents in Lubbock.
Defense attorney Jesse Mendez during closing arguments said, among other things, there was no explanation as to why there was no outcry when the abuse happened. He said teenage girls are able to be untruthful. Mendez said the state had not proved that Smith was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Prosecutor Janet Farmer said the victim’s life became a “living nightmare.” Farmer said victims don’t come forward for years out of fear of people not believing them.
Smith will go before a judge for his sentencing. He faces 25 years to life in prison. His bond was revoked pending his punishment.
