Drug dealer gets ‘shock’ probation
Atascosa Child Molester Goes to Prison
Back in 2013 and 2014, David Hebert was charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault for two children who were under 10 years old, and Sexual Assault of a 14 yr old child. Under the prior DA administration, in 2016 Hebert was given a plea bargain of 10 years deferred adjudication for Indecency with a Child by Exposure for each of the cases. Hebert violated his conditions of probation, and in February 2023 our office moved to revoke his probation. Hebert admitted to failing to register as a sex offender, a violation of his probation, and asked the court to allow him to remain on probation. One of our courageous victims testified and asked the court for justice. Our office asked for the maximum sentence for each victim’s case and that each sentence run consecutively, meaning Hebert must serve the sentence for each case separately. Judge Dillingham sentenced Hebert to the maximum of 10 years in prison on each case, running them consecutively. While still less than Hebert deserves for what he has done, we are grateful to have Hebert in prison where he belongs, and I am proud that our office fought for our victims. Thank you to Community Supervision Officer Brittany Ibarra for her hard work on the presentence investigation report, and to prosecutors Ryan Wright and Erika Price for their dedication to protecting our community from child predators.
Child Molester Gets Maximum 20 Year Prison Sentence from Wilson County Jury
Alexander Chavez chose to have a Wilson County jury determine his fate in regards to 3 counts of Sexual Assault of a Child.
Chavez pleaded guilty, then the jury heard from our victim as she retold the details of the abuse. Justice was served and other potential child victims are safe because of the bravery of the victim. Special thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of the jury who performed their civic duty honorably. Thank you for taking your job seriously and protecting future victims. Thank you to Det.
Gilbert Rodriguez, prosecutors Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, as well as Inv. Todd McCrohan in my office for working to protect our district from these predators.
Murder suspect sentenced to 60 years
District Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Marcelino Eli Esparza to 60 years in prison after he was found guilty by an Atascosa County jury for killing Margie Mendez Arguijo by strangulation on Aug. 30, 2020.
Esparza, 51, was found guilty of murder on Aug. 17 by a jury trial stemming from a first-degree murder indictment. Esparza entered a notguilty plea.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office was called out to a trailer park on Horton Lane just outside the Poteet city limits for a deceased female. Upon arriving, Deputy Sheriff Peter Allen and Sergeant Investigator Gavin Lindsay were told by a male resident outside of a mobile home that he found Arguijo, 48, deceased inside the home.
Investigators noticed signs of ligature strangulation on Arguijo and an autopsy was ordered by Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2, Felix Herrera. The autopsy result revealed that Arguijo died of strangulation and her death was ruled a homicide.
On Sept. 3, 2020, investigators obtained a murder warrant for the arrest of Esparza of Poteet, for Arguijo’s murder. Esparza was arrested in Kerrville by Atascosa County Sheriff’s Investigators with the assistance of Kerr County Sheriff’s Office, Kerrville Police Department and Texas DPS. Esparza was booked into the Kerr County Jail under a $500,000 bond that evening.
According to court records, Esparza was convicted in 1991 of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon in Bexar County and convicted of tampering with evidence in 2007 in Defiance County, Ohio.
Presiding over the Esparza trial was the Honorable Russell Wilson.
We are grateful for the careful consideration of the jury, investigators with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, and critical testimony of the medical examiner in this case. Our office will continue to fight hard for justice for our victims, and safety and protection of our community. Thank you to prosecutors Ryan Wright and Erika Price for your hard work and effective presentation of the evidence to the jury and judge. Justice is served.
Wilson County Man Sentenced to 8 Years In Prison For Evading
A Wilson County jury took less than 8 minutes to convict Amador Guerrero of Evading with a Vehicle. Guerrero requested the judge assess his punishment. The evidence showed that on Halloween evening, Guerrero fled in his truck on Hwy 87, once he turned into a closed gate, he then fled on foot and had to be physically subdued by three officers. During the punishment phase, prosecutors also produced evidence of Guerrero committing burglary of a habitation by forcible entry and removing valuables within a relative's home. The defendant also chose to deposit checks on his banking app during his punishment hearing. Considering all the evidence, the Honorable Judge Dillingham assessed punishment at 8 years in prison. The defendant requested probation, and was eligible to be sentenced up to 10 years in prison. We are thankful for the hard work of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and La Vernia Police Department, particularly Sgt. Darrell Collins, Deputy Talon Adcox, and Officer C.J. Markgraf in apprehending this suspect. We are grateful to the jury for their service. Their prompt verdict shows that some defendants refuse to accept responsibility for their actions and it has to be spoon-fed to them by a jury of their peers. Thank you to prosecutors Marc Ledet and Catherine Hayes for seeking justice in this case.
CATHI QUINONEZ SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS for MANSLAUGHTER.
Upon pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the killing of her husband, David Quinonez, Cathi Quinonez requested the judge assess her punishment. After three days of testimony, Honorable Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Quinonez to 12 years in prison. She must serve 6 years before she is eligible for parole. The punishment range for manslaughter is 2 to 20 years in prison, with eligibility for probation. All week, the district courtroom was filled with many of David’s close family and friends. The defense argued the 60 year old defendant deserved deferred adjudication, and ADA Ryan Wright stressed 20 years was the appropriate punishment. While nothing about this week lessens the pain for our victim’s family, it closes this chapter and allows them to move forward in the healing process. We are grateful for the investigative work of Isaac Chia, Robbie Newman, Gavin Lindsay, and Max Peralta with Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, as well as my prosecutors Ryan Wright, Kenny Lam, Erika Price, and Analyst Karen Dziuk for fighting hard for justice for David Quinones.
Two Plead Guilty to Aggravated Robbery in Karnes County
On June 14th a Karnes County jury sentenced Daniel Diaz to 35 years in prison for his role in the home invasion of a Choate couple. Diaz pled guilty to Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony on June 12, 2023. After hearing all the evidence, the jury gave him 35 years on each count. Today, July 10, 2023, Trisha Urrutia accepted responsibility for her part in the home invasion and pleaded guilty to Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony. Urrutia, Diaz’s then girlfriend, did not enter the residence, but was present at the roadway and assisted in providing the items used during the burglary. Diaz must serve at least half his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Their co-defendant, Albert Farias, received a double life sentence in May at the conclusion of a jury trial.
We are grateful to the jury for their attention and thoughtful consideration in determining Diaz’s sentence. The victims can now close this chapter of their traumatic experience and move forward. I am proud of the work of my team, ADA Audrey Vasquez, 1st Asst. DA Leslie Carranza, Analyst Karen Dziuk, and Chief Inv. Roland Trevino for their countless hours of preparation in fighting for our victims and protection of our community.
WILSON COUNTY - DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS
On May 8, 2023, after a contested sentencing hearing, the Honorable Russell Wilson sentenced Stuart Fraser to 42 years in prison on two counts of Assault of a Peace Officer. On September 2, 2020, Stuart Fraser assaulted two corrections officers as he was being magistrated at the Wilson County Jail. Mr. Fraser has an extensive criminal history including three prior convictions for Burglary of Habitation, a conviction for Aggravated Assault, and a federal conviction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. We would like to thank the judge for looking out for the future safety of community, as well as Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation with this prosecution, in particular, Corrections Officers Oliver and Lieutenant Heather Reyna. Wilson County Adult Probation Chief Andrew Flores and APO Jean Davis provided necessary testimony for the court and a thorough pre-sentence investigation. Special thanks for prosecutors Lorena Whitney and Marc Ledet for their work on the case
Karnes Man Gets Sentenced to Life in Prison after Jury Trial
The week of April 3, 2023, a Karnes County jury heard the horrific details of how Albert Farias, Jr. and his two co-defendants broke into the home of a retired couple living in Choate on a Saturday morning. This came after the couple already reported to the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office that someone had been on their property and cut their fence two nights before. Once Farias and his co-defendant entered the residence, they were confronted by the husband. A struggle ensued, and the husband was shot in the arm, which left his arm and hand permanently disabled. His quick-thinking wife placed a tourniquet on his arm, which saved his life. She then called 911, and he was airlifted to BAMMC. The couple had also installed game cameras on the property after their fence was cut 2 nights before. The camera footage caught the suspects who were later identified. After hearing the testimony of the courageous couple, BAMMC doctor, and numerous law enforcement officers, the jury convicted Albert Farias, Jr. on April 6th of Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Aggravated Assault. The defendant chose to have Presiding Judge Sid Harle decide his punishment. The defendant faced anywhere from 5-99 years or Life. After a contested hearing today, First Assistant Leslie Carranza asked the judge to sentence the defendant to life in prison. The defense requested a sentence of 10-15 years, but, the judge agreed with our argument and sentenced the defendant to life in prison. We are grateful to the Karnes County jury for their time, attention, and verdict. We appreciate the work of the EMS responders, the doctors, the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers and the Secret Service, not only today but every day.
Valerie Campos, Chief of Karnes County Adult Probation, prepared a thorough pre-sentence investigation report to assist the judge in determining his sentence. I am truly grateful for the countless hours prosecutors Audrey Vasquez, Leslie Carranza, Investigator Roland Trevino, Analyst Karen Dziuk, Legal Assistants Stacy Cowan, and Alyssa Lerma poured in to preparing the case for trial and sentencing. This jury and judge sent a clear message to Mr. Farias and any others like him, if you choose to enter people’s homes and violate their peace and security, you will pay for the rest of your life.
