A Texas man convicted of aggravated sexual assault is currently on the run after he failed to appear in court for his sentencing. The Travis County District Attorney's office reported that Hai Vo was found guilty by a Travis County jury following a three-day trial and three hours of deliberation.
Vo's sentencing was scheduled for the day after his guilty verdict, but he was notably absent during the court proceeding. Prosecutors had requested that Vo be detained after the verdict due to concerns about him being a flight risk, but the request was denied.
The jury assessed Vo's punishment at 10 years for the aggravated sexual assault charge. Judge Bob Perkins, who presided over the case, expressed surprise at Vo's failure to appear, noting that Vo had been present for all previous court appearances.
The case involved the sexual assault of a 24-year-old disabled woman, who reported the incident to her mother. The assault occurred after a Lunar New Year event at a church in January 2020. Vo offered to take the victim home, but instead took her to his house where he took photos of her and proceeded to touch her inappropriately while she was changing clothes.
Authorities stated that Vo sexually assaulted the victim, although Vo denied the assault when questioned by investigators. Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza expressed regret that the victim's family continues to wait for justice in the case, thanking them for their cooperation and the law enforcement partners who assisted in securing the guilty verdict.
The search for Hai Vo, who is now a fugitive, is ongoing as law enforcement authorities work to locate and apprehend him.
