Burnet man gets life without parole in child sex assault case

AUSTIN (KXAN) — On Thursday, a Williamson County jury found a Burnet man guilty of continuous sexual assault of a child.

The Williamson County District Attorney’s Office said 61-year-old Robert Jamerson was sentenced to the maximum sentence, receiving life in prison without parole.

After hearing 3 days of testimony, the DA’s office said the jury deliberated for 30 minutes before returning with a guilty verdict for Jamerson.

“In December 2022, the victim’s aunt reported to law enforcement that the victim had disclosed multiple instances of sexual assault by Jamerson, beginning in 2017 when the victim was 9 years old and continuing until the victim was 14,” the DA’s office said.

According to the office, Jamerson was known to the victim and held a position of trust for the child. The DA’s office said the assaults were committed at the victim’s homes in Liberty Hill and Hutto. 

During the trial, the DA’s office said prosecutors presented testimony from two other survivors of Jamerson’s child sexual abuse, which spanned several decades.

“I commend the bravery of the victim for coming forward and sharing her story. It is often the case that a disclosure of abuse by one child leads to the discovery of additional victims of the same perpetrator. Her bravery has not only brought justice for her but has also protected countless other children from harm,” said Williamson County District Attorney Shawn Dick. "This verdict and sentence send a strong message that the sexual abuse of children will not be tolerated in our community."