Chad Spence was sentenced after being convicted for Evading with a Vehicle by a Wilson County jury on January 25th by the Hon. Russell Wilson to a term of 50 years in prison. Based upon his prior penitentiary trips for four separate felonies, Mr. Spence qualified as a habitual felon, facing 25 years to 99 years. Mr. Spence was on parole at the time he committed this offense. Spence was paroled after only serving 8 years of a 40-year sentence for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance when he committed the Evading Arrest in Wilson County. Spence was found with over 27 grams of methamphetamine, $8,000 in cash, and a pistol at the time of his arrest, which was proved up by my office during the punishment phase. Special thanks again to Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, particularly Sargent Darrell Collins and Deputy Rodney Dennis, who went above and beyond in arresting Mr. Spence and building the case against him. We appreciate the jury for their service, and the work of Asst. District Attorneys, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, as well as Assistant District Attorney Will Richmond, who was vital in putting on the evidence during the punishment phase and securing the prison term.
WILSON COUNTY MAN GETS 30 YEARS FOR 7th DW
After being found guilty on March 16th by a Wilson County jury, Martin Perez was sentenced on March 28th to 30 years in prison for his seventh conviction for Driving While Intoxicated. On November 9th, 2020, DPS was dispatched to the scene of a one car accident. Mr. Perez was the driver and only occupant of the vehicle. Investigation revealed he had a strong smell of alcohol coming from his person and could not remember where he had come from or his home address. Based on those facts, DPS received a warrant to draw his blood at Connally Hospital and his blood alcohol content came back at .269, over three times the legal limit. We would like to thank Trooper Jayme Powers for all his hard work in making this case and assisting our prosecution team. Special thank you to our Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Unit Manager, Andrew Flores, for preparing a thorough presentence investigation for the Honorable Judge Russell Wilson to determine a proper and just sentence. We are proud of the decisive service of our jurors, and I am grateful for our Wilson County prosecutors, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, for their hard work on this case. There is no excuse for driving intoxicated. You jeopardize the lives of everyone on our roads. Stay home or get a driver, never get behind the wheel impaired.
Menchaca sentenced to 70 years
Thank you to the Pleasanton Express for recognizing and covering this important case! We are proud of our victim for having the courage to testify and protect her family from further violence. We are grateful to the jury for ensuring the safety of the victim and her family as well as protecting our community from this violent criminal. This case exemplifies the teamwork of the Jourdanton Police Department, Atascosa County Sheriff's Office, DPS, and our office. I am proud of Atascosa Chief Prosecutor Bradlee Thornton and Chief Investigator Roland Trevino for the time and dedication poured into ensuring justice was served. Thank you to our Victim Assistance Coordinator, Katie Quinney, Safer Path Family Violence Shelter, and Jennifer Fernandez with Guadalupe Family Violence Shelter for all their support.
https://www.pleasantonexpress.com/articles/guilty-menchaca-sentenced-to-70-years/
WILSON COUNTY JURY CONVICTS MAN OF ASSAULT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE with PRIOR CONVICTION and SENTENCES HIM TO 5.5 YEARS
Gabriel Luna was found guilty by a jury of striking his sister in the face. Luna had three prior convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence assaults, which enhanced the crime to a third degree felony. Luna faced anywhere from 2 to 10 years in prison. We are thankful to the jurors of Wilson County for their service, as well as Officer Kevin Pena with the Floresville Police Department. Thank you to ADAs Lorena Whitney and Marc Ledet for ensuring justice was served for the victim.
WILSON COUNTY JURY SENTENCES WOMAN TO 25 YEARS and 10 YEARS PROBATION IN STARVATION CASE
After a Wilson County jury heard 2 full days of testimony, Samantha Foster, charged with 3 counts of first degree felony Injury to a Child Causing Serious Bodily Injury changed her plea from not guilty to guilty. After Foster pled to all 3 counts, the jury was responsible with deciding her punishment for the brutal starvation of her 3 grandchildren. Testimony described the starvation as so severe that two of the children were likely within days of death. Foster was turned in by her courageous 11 year old daughter who texted 911 for help, saving the lives of the children. After hearing pleas for mercy from Foster’s family, including the daughter that turned her in, the jury sentenced the defendant to 25 years in prison on two counts, and 10 years of probation on the third count. Our office asked the judge to stack those sentences, but the court declined, and only stacked the probation sentence. Foster will be eligible for parole after serving 12.5 years. Her probation sentence will begin after she completes her prison time. We are most grateful to the medical professionals at the Center for Miracles at the Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, as well as the love, care and attention from the wonderful foster parents. The children are healthy and because of their care. I also want to thank the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Child Protective Services, and my prosecution team, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for standing up and fighting for these children in the courtroom.
ATASCOSA COUNTY JURY SENTENCES ROBERT ESCAMILLA JR. TO 18 YEARS FOR EVADING ARREST WITH A VEHICLE AND ENDANGERING A CHILD
Robert Escamilla Jr. opted to plead guilty to Evading Arrest with a Vehicle and Endangering a Child, and have an Atascosa County jury decide his punishment. The jury heard the circumstances for the stop and how the Defendant sped off and led then Deputy Luis Diaz on a chase around Atascosa County. Dash camera video caught the evading and showed the defendant jump out of the vehicle while it was still moving, leaving a female passenger and a four-year-old child inside. The Defendant then ran into a local home and hid in the attic until deputies were able to apprehend him. After hearing evidence of the Evading Arrest, the jury then heard evidence of the Defendant’s multiple other crimes, including an Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The Defendant faced between 2 years to 20 years in prison for the Evading Arrest, and 6 months to 2 years for the Endangering a Child. We appreciate the jury for their service and ensuring the safety of our community with the sentence handed down. I would also like to thank the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office for tracking down the suspect, as well as Luis Diaz, who is now an officer with Lytle Police Department. As always, thank you to my dedicated prosecutors, Kenny Lam and Bradlee Thornton, for working hard to ensure law enforcement’s hard work is carried over into the courtroom, and justice is served.
WILSON COUNTY JURY SENTENCES MAN TO LIFE IN PRISON FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
After Matthew Rose opted to plead guilty to two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and two counts of Indecency with a Child, a Wilson County jury heard evidence, including the testimony of the two children he admitted molesting. The defendant was a family friend to both victims’ families. The defendant faced anywhere from 5 years to life in prison for the sexual assaults, and 2 to 20 years for the Indecency with a Child counts. Rose received Life in Prison on both counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault and 20 years for each count of Indecency with a Child. While we asked for the sentences to be stacked, the judge opted to run the sentences concurrently. Rose will be eligible for parole after 30 years. We are so proud of our child victims for having the courage, strength, and willingness to report this, as well as testify to the jury. We appreciate the jury for wanting to ensure that no further children are harmed by Mr. Rose. I am grateful for the service and dedication of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, in particular Deputy Fitz, as well as my prosecutors, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney.
Woman Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Evading in LaSalle County.
On November 22nd Honorable Judge Sid Harle sentenced Emmy Abigail Fuentes (pictured below)who is from the Houston area, to 5 years in prison for the offense of Evading Arrest. On February 3, 2021, a LaSalle County Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to pull over 22 year old Fuentes for failing to maintain a single lane. After Fuentes came to a stop, and as the deputy got out of his vehicle and approached the driver’s side, Fuentes immediately sped off. The vehicle traveled for almost five miles and reached speeds of up to 110 mph. At one point, Fuentes slowed down enough so that several individuals (presumably undocumented illegals) could jump out of her vehicle and flee into the brush. Fuentes only came to a complete stop once all the individuals in her vehicle had fled. She was immediately arrested. Ms. Fuentes had no prior criminal history.
While there was not enough evidence to support a conviction under Texas law for smuggling illegals, we will continue to fully prosecute these offenders and protect our communities from these irresponsible, careless acts that put lives at risk. This sentence should serve as a warning to those wishing to make a quick buck smuggling illegals and running from law enforcement - if you are caught in our district regardless of your age or clean criminal record, you run the risk of going to prison.
I am proud of the dedication and hard work of our all our local law enforcement officers as well as DPS troopers from around the state that continue to work to protect our communities. I am grateful for the service of First Assistant District Attorney, Leslie Carranza for her successful prosecution of this case, as well as handling an increased caseload during this border crisis.
George "Nick" Silva sentenced to 9 Years in prison and 18 months on each state jail felony.
While facing a Wilson County jury, defendant George “Nick” Silva opted to plead guilty to four separate charges of felony theft, as well as forgery. Mr. Silva was an independent events planner who, through various means across both Wilson and Karnes counties, accepted money from those who sought to employ him, then never provided them with the services promised. He also stole from his employer. Through the hard work of the Wilson and Karnes County Sheriff’s Offices, as well as the La Vernia Police Department, Mr. Silva was brought to justice and sentenced to a 9 years in prison and 18 months on each state jail felony. These sentences run concurrently. Mr. Silva was also ordered to pay restitution to the victims in each case. It is sad to see someone with such talent waste it by choosing to steal from those who trusted Mr. Silva the most. We appreciate the jury's willingness to serve, and the victims for reporting the crimes so Mr. Silva cannot continue his crime spree. Thank you to ADAs Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for working tirelessly on these cases.
ATASCOSA COUNTY JURY CONVICTS RYAN GARCIA of AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
An Atascosa County jury found Ryan Xavier Garcia guilty of the brutal May 16, 2019 assault of a local resident. The jury heard evidence how Garcia stalked the victim’s family for over a month before the incident, beginning with the April 13 shooting of his brother’s truck. On May 6, Garcia threatened the victim’s grandfather with a gun and threatened to kill him. On May 7, he ran the victim’s daughter off the road on Highway 16 and kicked her car while threatening to kill her family. On May 9, Garcia blindsided the victim with a pipe and sent him to the hospital with an orbital and nose fracture before getting away. He stalked the residence until May 16, when he beat victim over the head many times with a baseball bat and large socket wrench sending him to the hospital with many injuries.
After convicting Garcia, the jury next considered his punishment. The jury then heard evidence of 13 other crimes along with numerous other arrests for thefts, drugs, evading and resisting arrest, threats to officers, gun related offenses, and assaults. The jury sentenced Ryan Garcia to 12 years in prison. We appreciate the thorough investigation of the Jourdanton Police Department, as well as the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, Pleasanton Police Department, Highway Patrol, Poteet Police Department, and the San Antonio Police Department for their testimony and hard work on prior arrests and convictions of this dangerous defendant. The justice system fails without the service of our jurors and potential jurors. We are thankful for their service. Special appreciation goes to ADAs Bradlee Thornton and Brett Pattillo for their hard work in preparing and presenting the case, as well as the dedication of Chief Investigator Roland Trevino.
