60-Year sentence for child predator in Montgomery County

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- A Montgomery County jury found 59-year-old Charles Guy Scott guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14. Following the verdict, Judge Patty Maginnis sentenced Scott to 60 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice with no possibility of parole.

The trial began February 20, 2026, in the 435th District Court with Judge Patty Maginnis presiding. After hearing a week of testimony and reviewing the evidence, the jury returned a guilty verdict on February 27, 2026. Scott was sentenced 60 years in prison on March 4, 2026.

Evidence presented during trial showed that Scott sexually abused a child repeatedly over a period of several years while the victim was between the ages of 11 and 13. Prosecutors demonstrated that the defendant exploited the child’s vulnerability and used manipulation, threats, and emotional control to keep the abuse hidden. According to testimony at trial, when the defendant believed others might soon learn about the abuse, he prayed with the victim and asked for the Lord’s forgiveness.

According to testimony, the defendant warned the victim that if the abuse were revealed he would go to prison and the child would lose the home and stability the victim had come to depend on. Prosecutors argued that these threats were designed to keep the child silent and protect the defendant from being exposed.

The abuse eventually came to light when the victim confided in a friend while sharing deeply personal secrets. That disclosure was shared with a trusted adult and ultimately led to a report being made to authorities and the involvement of Child Protective Services and investigators with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.

When CPS first responded, the defendant had already instructed the victim to deny that anything had happened. The child initially followed those instructions. During a later forensic interview, the victim denied the abuse for more than an hour before finally disclosing the truth.

Testimony also showed that Scott exposed the victim to pornography and sex toys and attempted to frame the behavior as “educational.” During an interview with Detective Brannock Snellgrove of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Scott admitted to touching the victim’s genitals, claiming it was done while applying medication. He also admitted to showing the child images of male genitalia online and discussing sexual topics while characterizing the conduct as instructional.

During closing arguments, prosecutors highlighted the profound betrayal experienced by the victim and the courage it took to finally tell the truth.

“For years, the defendant relied on threats, manipulation, and fear to keep a child silent,” said Assistant District Attorney Tamara Tyler. “But the moment the victim found the courage to speak the truth, his secret was over. This verdict shows that when a child finds their voice, the justice system will stand with them.”

At trial, the defense presented a DNA expert in an effort to cast doubt on the forensic evidence and a psychological expert who questioned the victim’s credibility. Several character witnesses also testified on behalf of the defendant. After hearing all of the testimony and reviewing the evidence, the jury rejected those claims and found Scott guilty.

Assistant District Attorney Criss Cole said, “This defendant didn’t just pray with the victim — he preyed on her innocence and vulnerability. He relied on threats and manipulation to keep his crimes hidden, but the jury saw through the lies and held him accountable.”

District Attorney Michael Holley said, “There is no way to make the sexual assault of a child more offensive than it already is, but the use of religion to manipulate a child is particularly odious. Perhaps God will have mercy on this man at some point — that is His prerogative — but the people of this county will not.”

The case was investigated by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Criss Cole and Tamara Tyler of the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.