Avel Trevino was sentenced to 18 years in prison for Manufacture and Delivery of Methamphetamine 4<200 grams. On May 3, 2019, Trevino was pulled over by Pearsall Police Department. After an investigation and search of the Defendant, he was found to be in possession of scales and two large clear bags containing methamphetamine. Our office will continue to fight to keep drugs off the streets of our district. Thank you, Assistant District Attorney Kenny Lam, and Pearsall Police Department for your professional investigation and arrest of this individual!
ATASCOSA SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS TDCJ.
On October 23, 2020, Adan Huereca was sentenced to 20 years in TDCJ for Indecency with a Child. Less than a year after Mr. Huereca was placed on 10 years deferred adjudication (probation) for this offense, he violated his conditions of probation by failing to comply with the terms of his sex offender counseling, and being around his girlfriend's two underage daughters. This sentence protects any future child victims at least during his incarceration. Huereca must serve half his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Thank you to Assistant District Attorney, Adriana Biggs for her continued efforts to protect our most vulnerable from predators.
81st District Attorney's K9 Awarded Grant
Thank you to Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. for awarding Gerben the “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” Grant!! Aside from a $100 deductible, they will cover all his medical expenses. They also provided “Gerbs” his bulletproof vest!
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) nationwide charity located in East Taunton, MA, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit is pleased to continue their “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” medical insurance program for 2020 which covers annual policy premiums. Since 2016, the charity has donated over $146,000 towards medical reimbursement programs for self-funded K9 units.
Selected as 2020 recipients to date are: 81st Judicial District Attorney, TX, K9 Gerben, Marysville Police Department, MI, K9 Heiko, Armstrong County Sheriff Office, PA, K9 Blak, DuBois City Police Department, PA, K9 Ace, Menasha Police Department, WI, K9 Cami, Stevens Point Police Department, WI, K9 Barry, Singing River Police Department, MS, K9 Jester, Alquippa Police Department, PA, K9 Stella, South Tom’s River Police Department, NJ, K9 Loki, Grant County Sheriff’s Office, WA, K9 Hawk, Jasper Police Department, IN, K9 Mack, Lone Oak Police Department, TX, K9 Basa, Clark County SO, IL, K9 Xena, Gloucester County SO, VA, K9 Zeus, Chelsea Police Department, OK, K9 Eli, Allen Hospital-Unity Point, IA, K9 Kaya, Wood County Constable, TX, K9 Juma, Maywood Police Department, NJ, K9 Ryker, Beebe Police Department, AR, K9 Crank, Vermillion County Sheriff’s Office, IN, K9 Zeus, Lewiston Police Department, NY, K9 Shadow, Limestone County Constable, Precinct 3, TX, K9 Teddy, Blytheville Police Department, AR, K9 Niko, Richmond Police Department, RI, K9 Bico, Kenosha City Police Department, WI, K9 Mani,Villa Hills Police Department, KY, K9 Onexx, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, IN, K9 Finn, Canisteo Village Police Department, NY, K9 Dex, and Cumberland Police Department, PA, K9 Finn.
The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant is awarded to departments who have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K9 unit, who have no more than three K9s, and who have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages two through seven are eligible. The annual medical reimbursement insurance policy, administered by Trupanion, will cover illnesses, injuries—including those sustained in the line of duty—diagnostic testing and therapies. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States.
Trupanion, a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs, offers injury and illnesses coverage for working and service dogs— both on and off duty. For nearly two decades, Trupanion has given pet owners and working dog owners peace of mind so they can focus on their dog’s recovery, not financial stress. Trupanion is honored to support these brave K9 heroes and is committed to providing the highest value in medical insurance to help them receive the best veterinary care.
In addition to the healthcare reimbursement program, Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. has provided over 4,070 law enforcement dogs with U.S. made, custom-fitted, NIJ certified bullet and stab-protective vests in 50 states, at a value of over $6.9 million dollars. For more information, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website: www.vik9s.org.
Convicted child molester gets 120 years
KARNES CITY – A 44-year-old man convicted last month on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child is now sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison.
District Judge Russell Wilson of 218th Judicial slapped Ignacio Salas with three consecutive 40-year sentences. Because the sentences are consecutive, Salas was essentially given a 120-year prison sentence.
“It’s the only way you can keep him from hurting another child,” said District Attorney Audrey Louis of the 81st Judicial District, who prosecuted the case with Assistant District Attorney Raneca Henson.
Salas already has filed an appeal, Louis said.
His victim, who is his biological daughter, is now 17. She was 9 when the abuse started and was 11 when her outcry was made, Louis said.
However, Louis said the previous district attorney’s administration took no action on the case. Salas was not indicted until December 2017.
“The system failed her,” Louis said.
Even worse, the district attorney added, the victim’s family has sided with her attacker, maintaining that she fabricated her story.
“Her entire family testified against her,” Louis said. “What child would want to go through six years of foster care for something they made up?”
The victim since was able to graduate early from high school and wants to work as a phlebotomist so that she might support her 3-year-old son.
Courtesy of Karnes Countywide
ATASCOSA JURY CONVICTS MAN OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND GIVES HIM 99 YEARS IN PRISON
On January 23, 2020, an Atascosa County jury sentenced Victor Romero to 99 years in prison for Assault of a Family Member- Impeding Breath and 25 years in prison for Burglary of a Habitation. Those sentences will run concurrently.
In May 2017, Victor Romero threatened his ex-girlfriend that he would show up when she least expected it and kill her after she ended their relationship. In August of that year, he tried to fulfill that promise when he broke into her home, threw her against a glass mirror, and choked her until she blacked out. He fled because she warned him that her new boyfriend would be home any minute and Romero was later arrested on a warrant.
During the punishment phase of trial, the jury heard evidence that the defendant had previously been to prison for Burglary and a felony Assault of a family member. They also heard evidence that he had assaulted two prior girlfriends. Assistant District Attorneys Bradlee Thornton and Adriana Biggs prosecuted the case, with the assistance of Chief Investigator Roland Trevino.
Assistant DA Bradlee Thornton said of the jury’s verdict, “With this verdict, the jury sends a strong message to this community that domestic violence will not be tolerated. It also sends a message to repeat offenders that enough is enough; if you do not remove your criminal activity from this county, you will be removed from this county.”
KARNES COUNTY JURY CONVICTS MAN OF AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
After a week of testimony regarding Salas molesting his biological daughter, 12 jurors in Karnes County convicted Ignacio Salas on January 10, 2020 of three counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Because of a prior prison sentence, Salas faces anywhere from 15 years up to life in prison, and will be sentenced by Honorable District Judge Russell Wilson on February 6th. We are extremely proud of our victim for having the courage to speak out about the abuse and testify, and equally grateful to the jury for their thoughtful consideration in returning a just verdict for our child.
District Attorney launches district-wide school K9 program WOOF (Watching Over Our Future)
By Pleasanton Express Staff | on December 04, 2019
81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Gossett Louis is pictured with District K9 Investigator Daniel Kaufman and K9 Officer Gerben. DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE | COURTESY PHOTO
With funding from the Governor’s Office, as your District Attorney I am proud to launch our early interdiction K9 program, Watching Over Our Future (WOOF). After applying for and receiving grant funds to pay for the salary as well as the vehicle, every school in Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, La Salle, and Wilson Counties now have access to free, unlimited K9 searches at their junior highs and high schools. Searches are done completely randomly, or on request of the school if there is a specific need. Charlotte, Cotulla, Dilley, Falls City, Floresville, Jourdanton, Karnes City, La Vernia, Pleasanton, Pearsall, Poteet, Poth, Runge, and Stockdale have all signed up to be a part of the program.
I was determined to start a school K9 program for a few reasons: (1) The vast majority of our criminal dockets are plagued with cases that stem from drug addiction. The root cause of many of our violent crimes and almost all property crimes is drugs, mainly methamphetamine. When prosecuting these cases, defendants are often required by the court to provide details of their drug use. The overwhelming majority of criminals admit they were exposed to drugs during their junior high or high school years, and many times at school. (2) Most of our schools cannot justify the cost of a full-time K9 handler, patrol vehicle, and K9. But covering over 5,000 square miles of South Texas, and fifteen independent school districts made the justification easy for our office. The Alamo Area Council of Governments and the Governor’s Office agreed. (3) School violence has become a disturbing trend and great concern to all of us. Nine students and a teacher were killed at Santa Fe High School in Sante Fe, Texas on May 18, 2018. Governor Abbott invited me and several others to meet with students following the shooting. We asked students how things could be better and what they would like to see at their school. While there were many ideas conveyed, universally, all students wanted increased law enforcement presence. Students all said more visible and frequent visits from law enforcement would make them feel more safe and secure.
Our K9 Investigator, Daniel Kaufman, is an Atascosa County resident, has 8 years of law enforcement experience, and is an Army Veteran. Gerben is a 3-year-old Dutch Shephard, who loves his job, and takes it very seriously. Since November 8, Investigator Kaufman and Gerben have logged 2,200 miles on the new Tahoe, searched 17 schools, and had five alerts for the odor of narcotics. By no means do I believe this will completely end drug possession or use on school campuses. However, these totally random searches will certainly be an added deterrent to bringing drugs to schools, locker rooms, and parking lots, as well as provide students a sense of safety and security, and hopefully prevent some students from going down the path of those that fill our district courtrooms.
Copyright © 2018 - 2020 PLEASANTON EXPRESS. All Rights Reserved.
By Gregory Ripps
Wilson County News
WOOF.
That’s the acronym for Watching Over Our Future, a program launched in the 81st Judicial District by District Attorney Audrey Louis.
WOOF provides random searches by a K9 team to find drugs in schools.
Every school district in Atascosa, Frio, Karnes, La Salle, and Wilson counties now has access to free and unlimited K9 searches at their high schools and junior high schools.
“Searches are done completely randomly or on request of the school if there is a specific need,” Louis explained.
A grant from the Texas governor’s office pays for the salary of the handler of the K9 — a Dutch Shepherd — and a vehicle.
Since Nov. 8, the K9 team has searched 17 schools.
The handler, Investigator Daniel Kaufman, is an Army veteran with eight years of law-enforcement experience. He served as a K9 deputy with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office before joining the district attorney’s office.
Louis said she was determined to have the WOOF program in her judicial district for three reasons:
•Court dockets are packed with cases involving crimes stemming from drug addiction, with most criminals saying they were exposed to drugs during their junior high or high school years, often at school.
•Most schools can’t justify the cost of a K9, K9 handler, and patrol vehicle; but the district attorney’s office can cover the more than 5,000 square miles in the judicial district.
•Increased violence on school campuses prompts a greater law-enforcement presence at schools.
Louis said she talked with students at the high school in Santa Fe, Texas, after a May 18, 2018, shooting there took the lives of nine students and a teacher.
“While there were many ideas conveyed … students all said more visible and frequent visits from law enforcement would make them feel more safe,” Louis said.
While the district attorney acknowledges that WOOF will not completely end drug possession or use on school campuses, she said the random searches “will certainly be an added deterrent to bringing drugs to schools, locker rooms, and parking lots, as well as provide students a sense of safety and security, and hopefully prevent some students from going down the path of those that fill our district courtrooms.”
BEER TRUCK THIEF GETS 20 YEARS IN PRISON IN ATASCOSA COUNTY
On November 06, 2018, Gabriel Hilario Reyes was driving on Highway 97 near the TexBest gas station at the intersection of I37 when he crashed his vehicle into the ditch. Across the street, a Miller Lite 18-wheeler was delivering beer to the TexBest. Reyes stole the truck and began to drive through Pleasanton. Police caught up to Reyes and chased the truck for several miles.
During the pursuit, the rear door of the 18-wheeler was open and the Reyes was driving all over the road, sometimes in the oncoming lanes of traffic. Eventually the truck jackknifed, totaling the newly purchased truck. While being apprehended, the defendant assaulted Deputy Kaufman with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office and was eventually charged with Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, Theft of Property valued between $30,000-$100,000, and Assault on a Public Servant.
Reyes was high at the time and was apprehended with cocaine across his top lip, forming a “cokestache.” Baggies of cocaine were found in the previously crashed vehicle as well. Reyes had previously been to prison for Enhanced Assault Involving Family Violence, Tampering with Evidence, and Possession a Controlled Substance in a Correctional Facility.
Reyes pleaded guilty to 20 years in TDCJ. Special thanks to the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office and other involved agencies in quickly apprehending the suspect and preventing a potential tragedy, and my prosecution team, Bradlee Thornton and Chief Investigator Roland Trevino, for ensuring justice was served.
CATTLE THIEF GETS 6 YEARS IN PRISON
Andre McKenzie was sentenced to six years in prison last month after a contested sentencing hearing in Karnes County before Honorable District Judge Lynn Ellison. McKenzie stole cattle from two ranches in La Grange, Texas and sold them at auction barns in Karnes, Frio, and Atascosa Counties. McKenzie, with no prior felony convictions, and 3 convictions for misdemeanor possession of marijuana, was seeking probation. Livestock play a pivotal role in the economy of our district. Our office will continue to aggressively prosecute cattle theft cases. We appreciate the cooperation of our local auction barns in bringing justice to our victims, and the thorough investigation by the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Special Ranger, Kenny Murchison.
