Zachary Alan Holifield, 19, a former baseball player at Plano Senior High School who had committed to Oklahoma State University to play college ball, was sentenced to 33 years for Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.
On June 16, 2016, the parents of the 5-year-old victim learned that Holifield sexually molested her when she was attending a daycare operated by Holifield's mother in Holifield's home. The victim's parents reported the abuse and Plano Police Department initiated an investigation lead by Detective Daniel Bryeans.
Lisa Martinez with the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County forensically interviewed the child, who disclosed details about the abuse which began before age 5 and continued until the outcry. Further investigation and forensic interviews revealed that another child who attended the daycare was also sexually abused by Holifield.
Holifield was arrested and interviewed by Detectives Daniel Bryeans and Aaron Benzick. He confessed to sexually abusing the 5-year-old on numerous occasions when his mother was busy or out of the home. Plano Police Department Detectives Courtney Noel and Brian Pfahning also assisted with the investigation.
Holifield pled guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, and was sentenced yesterday to 33 years in prison, without the possibility of parole.
Assistant District Attorney Shannon Miller prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Victim Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.
