Missionary man convicted of child sexual abuse of 7-year-old

MISSION, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A missionary was sentenced to 15 years in prison for sexually abusing a 7-year-old girl, prosecutors announced.

According to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios, Nelson Zamora, 54, pleaded guilty Monday to aggravated assault on a child.

Mission police determined that Zamora sexually abused a 7-year-old after the child reported an outcry to authorities in March 2022, a news release said.

The child was interviewed by a forensic interviewer and underwent a sexual assault investigation, which led to the discovery that Zamora had been abusing the seven-year-old for three years.

According to the Hidalgo County Judge’s Office, the sexual abuse occurred while Zamora was alone with the child at a mission residence.

No information was given as to whether Zamora had any relationship with the child.