Life Sentence for 69-Year-Old Convicted of Child Sexual Abuse in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX – A Montgomery County jury has convicted James Marshall Spillman, 69, of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 14, a first-degree felony, and sentenced him to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The trial, held in the 435th District Court before Judge Mary Ann Turner, began on July 18, 2025, and concluded on July 23 with the verdict and sentencing.

The prosecution, led by Assistant District Attorneys Criss Cole and Tamara Tyler, presented evidence of a calculated and prolonged pattern of abuse. According to trial testimony, Spillman moved his RV onto the victim’s family property in 2022 during a “transitional period.” He then groomed the 11-year-old child and their parents by offering gifts, including an airsoft gun, snacks, and rides on his four-wheeler. After establishing trust, Spillman began inviting the child to stay overnight in his RV, where the abuse occurred.

Testimony detailed multiple acts of abuse, including Spillman massaging the child’s legs with baby oil before initiating unlawful sexual contact, touching the child under a blanket in the early morning hours, and exposing himself to the victim.

During the punishment phase, an extraneous victim testified about similar abuse by Spillman between the ages of 6 and 9. That victim described repeated acts of sexual contact, being coerced to expose himself during a video call, and witnessing Spillman inappropriately touch another child. His biological mother corroborated key aspects of his account.

Assistant District Attorney Criss Cole emphasized the impact of the sentence during closing arguments, stating, “Be concerned about the message this sentence sends. If one child is spared in the future because of this life sentence, it’s worth it.”

District Attorney Brett Ligon commented, “This case is a heartbreaking reminder that predators often hide in plain sight, using trust as their weapon. Thanks to the courage of the victims, the tireless work of our prosecutors, and the dedication of law enforcement, James Spillman will never have the chance to harm another child. This life sentence is equivalent to the death penalty for Mr. Spillman. Thanks to this jury, he will never breathe a breath of free air again.”

The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, particularly Detective Max Fruchtnicht, for their investigative work.