Missionary man sentenced to three years in prison for sexual abuse of child

A missionary has been convicted after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse of a child, according to Hidalgo County District Attorney Toribio “Terry” Palacios.

Palacios said 54-year-old Nelson Zamora was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

According to Palacios, Mission police learned of the abuse as early as March 25, 2022, when a young woman aged seven “expressed an outcry about the sexual abuse” against Zamora.

Palacios said the girl was interviewed by a forensic interviewer and underwent a sexual assault examination. It was then discovered that Zamora had sexually abused the girl for three years.

Palacios said the abuse occurred when Zamora was alone with the girl in a mission house.

As a result of the investigation, Zamora was arrested and charged.