David Alan Beene was sentenced to life in prison on Sept. 14, 2026, after a Brown County jury found him guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and five additional charges involving sexual assault and indecency with a child.
District Court Judge Mike Smith imposed the life sentence for continuous sexual abuse of a child. He also sentenced Beene to 20 years in prison on each of the five additional counts, the maximum sentence allowed by law. The sentences were ordered to run consecutively.
Jury convicted Beene on all charges
The sentencing followed a jury trial held Aug. 17-21. According to Brown County District Attorney Micheal Murray, jurors heard evidence about Beene’s actions toward the victim over a period of years. The jury returned guilty verdicts on all charges on Aug. 21.
Beene remained in the Brown County Jail while awaiting the punishment phase, which was scheduled for Sept. 14. During that hearing, First Assistant District Attorney Elisha Bird and Assistant District Attorney Kelli Palmarozzi asked Judge Smith to consider all of the testimony presented during the trial.
Prosecutors also presented testimony that Beene had previously had his parental rights to one child terminated and had not been involved in the life of another child. Evidence presented during the trial included statements indicating that Beene wanted to hurt his other children while committing suicide, according to the district attorney’s report.
Life sentence carries no possibility of parole
Because the conviction involved continuous sexual abuse, Beene must serve the life sentence day for day, with no possibility of parole. That sentence means he will not be released from prison on that case.
The additional consecutive sentences nevertheless reflected the court’s consideration of the harm caused to the children and the wider community, according to the report. In closing argument during the punishment hearing, Bird said the proceeding gave those involved an opportunity to support the victim while sharing the burden of the abuse for a day.
Judge Smith also spoke about the importance of fatherhood and recognized the victim’s strength and bravery when assessing the maximum punishment permitted under Texas law.