Gilmer Man Sentenced to Life for Sexual Assault

GREGG COUNTY — A Gilmer man was sentenced Monday to life in prison for sexually assaulting a clerk working in a South Longview convenience store more than five years ago. According to KETK and the Longview News-Journal, Shawn Michael Willard, 33, was convicted June 16 of aggravated sexual assault after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the Feb. 16, 2013, incident at the former Chanel Stop and Shop on Mobberly Avenue. Willard entered the establishment just after it opened at 7:00 that Saturday morning, forced the victim into a back room and sexually assaulted her, threatening to cut her throat if she fought back. He then choked her and pressing down on her throat with his foot.