Sexual Predator Sentenced to Life in Prison in Montgomery County, Concerned Citizen Assisted Police

On September 10, 2024, a Montgomery County jury assessed the punishment of life in prison for Eugenio Allende Gil, 51, of Conroe. Before the jury’s assessment, Gil entered a plea of guilty to the first-degree felony offense of Sexual Performance by a Child in the 9th District Court, Judge Phil Grant presiding.
Because Sexual Performance by a Child is an aggravated offense, Gil will not be eligible for parole until he has served at least thirty years of his sentence.

The charges stemmed from an investigation on July 13, 2019, when a concerned citizen, Emerson Bonilla Vigil, contacted the Conroe Police Department about Gil. Mr. Vigil reported that one of his relatives brought Gil to a get-together where, throughout the evening, Gil looked at a 13-year-old child in a way that made him uncomfortable. When Gil left, Mr. Vigil discovered that Gil had left his cell phone behind. Mr. Vigil guessed the password to the device and saw that the phone contained nude photos of a young teenage female and inappropriate texts.

Conroe Police Department detectives began to investigate, and after reviewing the contents of Gil’s cell phone, it was clear to Detectives that Gil had induced a 13-year-old female to send him sexual images and engaged in sexual conduct with the teen. Gil’s phone also contained messages indicating that the child’s mother had been complicit in the abuse. The mother passed away before charges could be brought against her.

During the trial, the victim testified about the year-long abuse that she suffered at the hands of Gil, doing so with the Defendant sitting only a few feet away. The jury watched as she wept and her hands shook, describing what her life had been like before a stranger got the police involved. The jury returned a verdict of life in prison after deliberating for approximately 30 minutes.

Assistant District Attorney Frances Manzo: “We ask a lot from victims of sexual abuse. It was heartbreaking for the child victim to have to face down the man who abused her, but it was also inspiring to see her find the courage to tell her story.”

District Attorney Brett Ligon: “Emerson Vigil is a true hero. He trusted his gut and stood up to protect a defenseless child. In a world that can sometimes feel dark, he’s a bright light and a reminder of the good that still exists.”

The Conroe Police Department investigated the case with assistance by Children’s Safe Harbor. Assistant District Attorney Frances Manzo and Chief Prosecutor Chris Seufert prosecuted the case.