SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that Judge Gary Steel of the 274th District Court sentenced Bo Michael Dresner on 65 counts of continuous sexual abuse of multiple children and possession of child pornography with intent to promote. Judge Steel sentenced Dresner to four consecutive or stacked sentences of 75 years each on four counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, and then added stacked sentences ranging from 10 to 20 years on the remaining 61 counts of possession of child pornography with intent to promote. The stacked sentences amount to 410 years in prison.
The criminal case against Dresner began as a jury trial on March 4, 2024. During the first day of testimony after the jury was sworn, Dresner decided to change his plea to “guilty” on all 65 counts of the indictment. The jury was excused, and a punishment hearing proceeded before Judge Steel over the course of several days.
The evidence presented at trial and during the punishment hearing included testimony from one of Dresner’s biological daughters as well as another child who lived at Dresner’s home at the time. The evidence showed that the investigation began in 2019 after a child outcried that she was being sexually molested by Dresner. While the criminal investigation was ongoing, Dresner was stopped by Hays County Sheriff’s deputies on his way to the airport with a one-way ticket to Armenia, a non-extradition country. The investigation led to evidence that another child was also molested. A forensic examination of Dresner’s electronic devices discovered hundreds of thousands of images of child pornography as well as internet searches for countries that will not extradite to the United States.
This was not the first time Dresner had been accused of sexual abuse of a child. In 2005, he pled guilty to assaulting a 15-year-old in Minnesota, but that sentence was reduced. Evidence also showed that one of the victims in the current case made allegations about Dresner in 2012. CPS was involved but the matter was not fully investigated by law enforcement and the victim was sent back to live with Dresner.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Catherine Schneider and Katie Arnold. Following the sentencing, Schneider and Arnold expressed their satisfaction with the verdict and their appreciation for the witnesses, investigators and others who worked tirelessly to help successfully prosecute the case, with special appreciation for the efforts of Erin Dupalo, Cristina Kearbey, Sgt. John Paul Garza, Jennifer Baker, Kyri Lysek and Det. Nelson Wray.
District Attorney Kelly Higgins said that the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office will continue to work diligently to hold those who engage in sexual violence and molestation accountable.