TEXAS
Eastex Advocate

Former Sunday School teacher sentenced to 35 years for sexually assaulting female relative

By VANESA BRASHIER
A former Sunday School teacher and resident of Tarkington and Conroe will spend the next 35 years of his life in prison after being convicted of Indecency With a Child for the continuous sexual abuse of a female relative. The sentence was announced on Wednesday in the Liberty County courtroom of 253rd State District Judge Chap B. Cain.

Barring a successful appeal, Bruce Harp, 59, will be 94 years old before he is eligible for release. Prior to his conviction, Harp was offered a seven-year sentence in exchange for a guilty plea, but that offer was declined.

The seven-year sentence would have meant just three and a half years in prison for Harp since he already has served an equal amount of time in the Liberty County jail while…