An Austin County jury handed down a prison sentence to a Sealy man for aggravated assault with serious bodily injury last Friday in District Court.

The Jury sentenced James “Tank” Gonzales to 13 years in prison after a weeklong trial before Judge Jeff Steinhauser. In addition, the jury assessed a $5,000 fine.

Assistant District Attorney Ben Nystrom presented the case to the jury with help from DA Travis Koehn and First Assistant District Attorney Brandy Robinson. Bellville attorney John Anderson represented the defendant.

The evidence showed that Gonzales, 42, beat his girlfriend who suffered two broken eye sockets, two broken ribs and a collapsed lung. The treating physician, physician assistant and nurse all testified that the injuries were life-threatening.

The victim, who has an 8-year-old daughter with Gonzales, testified that Gonzales had beat her before. Gonzales has served jail time in the past for threats and assault.

Officers from the Sealy and Bellville Police Departments testified to their findings when they interviewed the victim and Gonzales.

Prosecutor Nystrom introduced photos, videos and medical records from Sealy Urgent Care, Bellville Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital in Bryan. After first receiving treatment in Bellville Hospital, the victim was transferred to Bryan where she stayed in the hospital for five days.

“The victim has suffered for many years at the hands of this man,” Nystrom said. “His sentence will help bring the victim some measure of peace and prevent Gonzales from hurting others for years to come. … Officers from Sealy and Bellville did a great job documenting this case and presenting it to the jury.”

“Gonzales used his fists to nearly kill the mother of his child,” Koehn said. “His long prison sentence is the result of his violent past and the severity of her injuries.”