A Texas father says his family has been “betrayed by the system” after the man who sexually abused his young daughter walked free under a plea deal approved by Travis County District Attorney José Garza—a Democrat whose progressive policies have repeatedly drawn national criticism.
Richard Leigh Bell, 37, admitted to injuring a child but will serve no prison time after Garza’s office agreed to a five-year deferred probation deal.
In exchange, prosecutors dropped eight more serious charges, including multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault.
Bell must register as a sex offender and avoid contact with minors, but he will remain free unless he violates probation, according to court filings cited by Fox News.
The victim’s father said he was stunned to learn the plea arrangement meant Bell would not serve time behind bars.
“Any parent would expect someone to rot in jail for doing something like this,” he told KVUE, adding that his family believed the case would result in a substantial prison sentence.
The decision has fueled new anger at Garza’s office, which has faced mounting scrutiny over what critics call a pattern of leniency toward violent offenders.
Several high-profile cases have collapsed or been dismissed outright after prosecutors missed key legal deadlines or failed to secure timely indictments—errors that local law enforcement officers warn are undermining public safety.
Earlier this year, KVUE revealed that dozens of felony cases were tossed out because Garza’s team missed the 90-day indictment window required by state law.
In some instances, murder suspects were released from custody while prosecutors scrambled to refile charges.
Former judges have described the situation as “an avoidable breakdown” within the county’s criminal justice system.
Much of the blame, according to those familiar with the office, stems from Garza’s decision to dismantle a specialized indictment unit soon after taking office in 2021.
That change, critics say, slowed case processing and contributed to repeated administrative failures.
Garza—elected in deep-blue Travis County with financial support from organizations tied to billionaire George Soros—has defended his record, arguing that his policies are designed to promote fairness and rehabilitation instead of mass incarceration.
In interviews, he’s said his office is “reimagining justice” and prioritizing restorative approaches for nonviolent offenders.
But many in law enforcement and victims’ advocacy groups argue that Garza’s definition of “reform” has gone too far.
They point to a 2024 petition filed by a bipartisan coalition of Travis County residents seeking his removal from office, citing “official misconduct and gross incompetence.”
According to KXAN, the filing—accepted by Judge Dib Waldrip—accused Garza of selectively prosecuting law enforcement officers while failing to move forward with cases involving violent criminals.
The outrage surrounding Bell’s case has only deepened those concerns.
Victims’ advocates warn that deferred probation for crimes involving child sexual abuse sends a dangerous message—one that could discourage victims from coming forward and embolden repeat offenders.
Legal observers say the fallout could add momentum to calls for tighter oversight of district attorneys who implement what critics call “social justice experiments” at the expense of community safety.
For families like the Bells, however, the impact is deeply personal.
“This isn’t about politics,” the victim’s father said. “It’s about justice for a child. And right now, there isn’t any.”
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