MCKINNEY, Texas — A North Texas judge handed down a life sentence to a repeated predator, pedophile and stalker on Monday.
A jury found Deketric Charrontay Love, 27, of Mesquite, guilty of burglary of a habitation with intent to commit invasive visual recording.
The investigation that led to Love’s arrest began in November 2022, according to the Collin County District Attorney's Office. Frisco police responded to a report of suspicious activity after a child, alone at home, noticed an individual peering into his bedroom window. No arrest was made that day.
Nearly a month later, the same child discovered unfamiliar items in his room, including a concealed camera on his dresser. The DA's office says the child's father installed a home security system shortly after this incident.
Days later, that same security system detected motion inside the house and recorded Love exiting the premises.
The DA's office says the child spotted Love outside his window late at night while doing homework. The child and his father then confronted Love and alerted the police. Love attempted to escape but was arrested while trying to leave the neighborhood in his vehicle. When police searched his car they discovered additional cameras and items belonging to the child.
Data collected from Love’s phone placed him at the scene during the previous incidents, and on other occasions the family didn't know about.
"It revealed his connection to the home’s Wi-Fi and his use of an application linked to the camera left in the child’s room. Forensic analysis matched Love’s fingerprints and DNA to items found in and around the house, solidifying his involvement," the DA's office said in a news release.
During the sentencing, prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence of Love’s criminal history.
He was on felony probation for online solicitation of a minor in Dallas County at the time of his arrest. Investigators also found dozens of explicit photos of children on his phone and a video of Love's former coworker from outside her bathroom window.
Six people testified about Love’s repeated behavior, including lurking outside windows, removing screens, entering homes uninvited, and in one instance, standing at the foot of a child’s bed in the night.
"A licensed sex offender treatment provider who had worked with Love testified about his unsuccessful discharge from a treatment program, his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions, and his continued danger to the community," the DA said.
While awaiting sentencing, jail staff reported that Love made a video call to a friend requesting pornographic videos, and engaged in inappropriate self-pleasuring behavior.
Judge Benjamin Smith sentenced Love to life in prison on Monday.
“We’ve sent a strong message: Our community is off-limits to predators, and we’re all in to keep our kids safe,” Willis stated after sentencing.
