Texas news, down to the facts.

Early voting is open through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3, 15 days away. Elections

Public Safety

Limestone County man sentenced to life in prison for child sexual abuse

Joshua Joseph Kofnovec, 46, of Billington, was sentenced Friday to automatic life in prison after a Limestone County jury convicted him of aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by exposure in the October 2023 abuse of a 5-year-old girl. The sentence was automatic due to his prior 2023 Hill County conviction for indecency with a child by contact.

Where
Groesbeck, Limestone County
When
Friday, Oct. 15, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets

Counties: Limestone

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

Does this affect you?

Who's involved

  • Joshua Joseph Kofnovecdefendant, convicted of aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by exposure
  • Judge Amy Ward77th State District Court judge who sentenced defendant
  • Beth TobenAssistant District Attorney who prosecuted the case
  • Jami LowryAssistant District Attorney who prosecuted the case

The facts

  • Jury convicted Kofnovec of aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child by exposure after four-day trial.1
  • Judge sentenced Kofnovec to automatic life in prison term due to prior 2023 Hill County indecency with a child by contact conviction.1
  • Jury also sentenced Kofnovec to 20 years on the indecency count, to run concurrently with the life sentence.1
  • Kofnovec will be eligible for parole after serving 30 years in prison.1
  • Testimony revealed Kofnovec sexually molested at least five other children younger than 10 dating back to his teen years.1
  • Kofnovec was a former employee at Central Link Broadband in Waco.1
  • The victim in this case is now 9 years old and was the daughter of Kofnovec's friend.1
  • The abuse occurred in October 2023.1

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

  • Beth Toben, Assistant District Attorney Kofnovec befriended vulnerable parents, providing financial assistance and babysitting, then betrayed their trust by abusing their children.1

How they headlined it

The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.

  • Limestone County man sentenced to automatic life in prison in sexual abuse of young child

    KWTX

  • Jefferson County man’s 40-year prison sentence upheld in child abuse case

    12newsnow.com

Sources

Outlets: 2 not rated Who's covering Texas →

These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. Limestone County man sentenced to automatic life in prison in sexual abuse of young child KWTX Not rated, October 16, 2026
  2. Jefferson County man’s 40-year prison sentence upheld in child abuse case 12newsnow.com Not rated, October 16, 2026

This sheet was written by AI from the sources above and adds nothing they don't state. Read the originals for full context.

Spot an error on this sheet?

All corrections and updates

Keep reading

Body recovered from Lady Bird Lake in Austin

A body was found in Lady Bird Lake near Austin early Friday morning. Police were called for a welfare check after witnesses reported seeing a body floating in the water. The person was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not being investigated as a homicide.

Austin Police Department, Investigating death; Austin Fire Department, Assisted with body recovery; Austin-Travis County EMS, Responded and pronounced person dead and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Woman killed, man injured in suspected shooting at San Antonio home

A 22-year-old woman was killed and a 22-year-old man was seriously injured in a suspected shooting at a Northeast Side home in San Antonio on Wednesday evening. Investigators believe the man shot the woman before shooting himself.

Jessica Villanueva, Woman killed; 22-year-old man, Injured in shooting; Homeowner, Called 911 after finding injured parties and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas DPS seeks tips in 1995 El Paso woman murder, raises reward

The Texas Department of Public Safety is seeking new information about the February 7, 1995 murder of Celia Loya, 30, in El Paso. The reward for tips leading to an arrest has been increased to $6,000.

$6,000 for reward for information leading to arrest

Texas Department of Public Safety, seeking tips; El Paso Police Department, investigating agency; Texas Rangers, investigating agency and 1 more

Reported by 7 outletsFound via Google News

FAA restricts unauthorized drones along US-Mexico border

The Federal Aviation Administration issued a temporary flight restriction barring unauthorized drones along the US-Mexico border up to 400 feet above ground, extending one nautical mile north of the border. The action addresses concerns about illegal drug shipments and cartel drone activity.

Federal Aviation Administration, Issued temporary flight restriction; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Stated military will shoot down cartel drones; Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Said restrictions will counter cartel drone threats and 1 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas A&M University-Victoria holds investiture ceremony for President Hardigree

Texas A&M University-Victoria held an investiture ceremony Wednesday to celebrate President Christian Hardigree's first year of leadership and the university's first year in The Texas A&M University System. State and federal officials, university system leaders, and higher education representatives attended the event at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts.

Christian Hardigree, President of Texas A&M University-Victoria; AJ Louderback, Texas State Representative; Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Senator and 4 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Bexar and Brazoria counties hold county judge races on November 3

Two Texas county judge races are scheduled for the Nov. 3 election. In Bexar County, Republican Patrick Von Dohlen is challenging Democrat Ron Nirenberg. In Brazoria County, Republican Rob Giesecke, independent Lucinda Henry and Democrat Eugene Howard are running to replace retiring County Judge Matt Sebesta.

Patrick Von Dohlen, Republican candidate for Bexar County judge; Ron Nirenberg, Democrat candidate for Bexar County judge; Rob Giesecke, Republican candidate for Brazoria County judge and 3 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

Texas counties prepare election security measures ahead of early voting

County clerks and election administrators across Texas are implementing security procedures before early voting begins October 19. Travis County plans 201 voting locations on Election Day. Multiple counties conducted security training for poll workers.

Travis County Clerk Dyana Limon-Mercado, Travis County Clerk; Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew, Bexar County Elections Administrator; Dallas County Elections Administrator Paul Adams, Dallas County Elections Administrator and 2 more

Reported by 2 outletsFound via Google News

All of today's news