Protesters gather at courthouse over former Waco attorney’s plea deal

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - Protesters gathered on the steps of the McLennan County Courthouse Monday morning to express frustration over a plea deal for a former Waco attorney accused of sexually abusing his son’s friend.

Adam Hoffman pleaded guilty last week to indecent assault and displaying harmful material to a minor. According to the plea deal offered by the Texas Attorney General’s Office, Hoffman will serve 30 days in jail.

When Hoffman originally went to trial almost a year ago, he was facing a first-degree felony charge, which could have meant life in prison without parole.

Christina Loredo says she is among the many shocked to hear that Hoffman’s charges had been dropped to two Class A misdemeanors.

“We have questions how a sex offender can get sentenced 30 days, whenever his original sentence was 20 years to life,” Loredo said.

She adds that there are many in the system, including her son, who are serving more time for lesser crimes.

“Nothing compared to this and they are dying in prison, serving time in prison, and will never get second chances,” Loredo said.

Pamela Degrate, another protester at the courthouse, says something has to change.

“We see time and time again that they get a little slap on the wrist for anything and our kids get thrown away like they don’t matter,” Degrate said.

Even Senator Cornyn’s campaign weighed in on the decision to reduce Hoffman’s charges in a statement.

“Ken Paxton took a horrific first-degree felony case and reduced it down to two class A misdemeanors, initially suggesting it would accept no additional jail time,” the statement said in part. “This is one of the most outrageous examples of leniency towards a violent criminal in modern Texas history.”

Cornyn will be in the runoff against Attorney General Paxton this May for U.S. Senate.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Hoffman must forfeit his law license for at least five years and is banned from any future contact with his teenage victim. However, he will not be required to register as a sex offender.

“I do not understand how this is okay, that we allow this on our streets… and we say we are protecting our children, I don’t see this,” Loredo shared.

KWTX reached out to both The Texas Attorney General’s Office and Ken Paxton’s Campaign, but neither have responded to requests for comment. Hoffman’s attorney, Gerry Morris, did not wish to comment prior to Hoffman’s sentencing on April 27.