Karnes County- Billy Jack Barrera Sentenced to 4 years in Prison on Cruelty to Animals

On August 22, 2019, the defendant brutally attacked and injured their family dog “Bocephus” with a machete. The defendant who had been verbally abusive to his wife decided to take out his anger on his wife’s dog that day. The defendant went to his vehicle, grabbed a machete and began to repeatedly strike his wife’s dog in the head. Bocephus suffered many open wounds on his head, fractures, as well as severed nerves around his eye. After a call to 911, the defendant fled the scene and his wife rushed her dog to the Vet. Thanks to the wonderful staff at Karnes City Veterinary Hospital, the dog was able to be saved and despite some intense scarring and severe PTSD, Bocephus has made a full recovery.

The defendant refused to take responsibility for his actions and took the case to trial on August 26, 2024. He was found guilty by a Karnes County Jury on August 28. Judge Dillingham ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation on the defendant and set him for sentencing on November 7, 2024. The defendant was facing 2-10 years in prison or up to 10 years Probation.

After hearing argument from ADA Vasquez, where the State argued for the full 10 years, reading a Pre-Sentence Investigation Report prepared by Karnes County Probation Unit Manager, Veronica Garza and reading a letter from the defendant’s family, the Honorable Judge Dillingham sentenced the Defendant to 4 years in TDC.

Thank you to all of law enforcement involved in working this case, Probation Unit Manager Veronica Garza, ADA Vasquez and ADA Carranza, Criminal Analyst Karen Dziuk and Investigator Trevino for ensuring that justice be served.

David Taije Castleberry, 27, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lucio Gustavo Carmona III

David Taije Castleberry, 27, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lucio Gustavo Carmona III, whose body was discovered on Tessman Road in Pleasanton on Jan. 3, 2023. Castleberry and his girlfriend Clarissa Guillen were arrested two days after Carmona's body was found. An Atascosa County jury deliberated for 25 minutes with the evidence presented by the office of Audrey Gossett Louis, 81st Judicial District Attorney to prove Castleberry was the shooter. The trial was presided over by Jennifer Dillingham, 81st Judicial District Judge.

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Wednesday, September 25, a sentencing hearing was held regarding Jacob Peek and his two charges of Indecency with a Child and Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Peek had previously pleaded to the charges in an agreement to cap potential liability to 30 years, but our office would not agree to forfeit our request that the two sentences be stacked. After hearing the evidence, which involved his grooming and preying upon several children, the Honorable Judge Dillingham gave him the full 30 years on the Aggravated Assault and the full 20 years on the Indecency with a Child, granting our request that these two sentences be stacked so that Peek would have to serve the 30-year and 20-year sentences consecutively. Mr. Peek will now serve these two terms one after the other, and only then begin to serve the 25-year federal sentence arising out of this investigation for Possession of Child Pornography. All in, Mr. Peek at 45 years of age, is looking at a 75-year sentence.

Once again, we cannot thank the victims who came forward and bravely told each of their stories enough. Without them, this predator would never have been stopped and would have continued to leave victims in his wake. Only their courage allows us to take predators like this one down. A huge hat tip goes out to the La Vernia Police Chief, Donald Keil, Deputy Chief of Adult Probation, Andrew Flores, and Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, particularly Sargeant Investigator Jack Derby. Their hard work and testimony were crucial in achieving this result. As always, a huge thank you goes out to prosecutors Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for fighting for justice for our most vulnerable.

Wilson County Man Sentenced to Consecutive Term for Indecency with a Child

A sentencing hearing was held yesterday in the case of Jose Bautista Solis in front of the Honorable Judge Russell Wilson concerning 4 counts of Indecency with a Child. This is a second degree felony in Texas with the maximum punishment being 20 years. To save the victims the necessity of testifying in front of their abuser, prosecutors agreed to cap the term of prison at 12 years per count in return for a guilty plea. After hearing the evidence presented, including testimony from the defendant, Judge Wilson sentenced him to the full 12 years per count and stacked the last count so that Mr. Solis will have to serve it consecutively. Mr. Solis is 64 years old and will be facing deportation after he pays his dues to the State of Texas, if still living.

The case arises from the defendant inappropriately touching the victims for a number of years, beginning when they were between 7 and 8 years old. We would like to thank the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for all their hard work, as well as Chief of Adult Probation, Mrs. Valerie Campos for her presentence investigation to assist the court in determining the appropriate punishment. As always, we are in awe of the courage of our victims coming forward and reporting those that prey upon them. Without their bravery, we would be unable to put an end to these predators abusing more and more children. Thank you to prosecutors Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for fighting for justice for our most vulnerable.

ATASCOSA COUNTY JURY SENTENCES JUAN FELIX JIMENEZ TO 35 YEARS FOR BAIL JUMPING

Juan Felix Jimenez, 33, of Pleasanton was sentenced on September 11th by a jury to 35 years in prison for Bail Jumping. Jimenez was set for a hearing on a motion to revoke his bond on Continuous Violence Against the Family, Aggravated Assault, and Evading Arrest. Instead of appearing for the hearing, he cut off his ankle monitor and fled the county. The jury found him guilty and went on to hear evidence regarding punishment. In punishment the State proved up four prior felony convictions. The State further presented evidence that Jimenez had committed two new felony offenses while out on bond. On May 4, 2023, Jimenez was pulled over for improperly displaying his license plate by former Jourdanton Police Department Officer Josh Walker. During the traffic stop, Jimenez began vomiting. He admitted to swallowing a baggie of narcotics. He lost consciousness and stopped breathing. He was revived by Officer Walker and former Lt. Marikarmen Kaufman’s administration of Narcan. Just two weeks later, on May 18, 2023, Pleasanton Police Department was notified of shots fired on Sanchez Street at approximately 6:50 am, as a school bus was picking up students. Lt. Kai Viesca interviewed Jimenez about the shooting. Jimenez denied any involvement and claimed he did not have a firearm. During the execution of a search warrant at Jimenez’ residence, a firearm was located. Jimenez and his brother, both felons, were charged with felon in possession of a firearm. The State introduced evidence of Jimenez’s membership in the Mexican Mafia. Jimenez denied current membership, but a recently acquired tattoo suggests otherwise. Furthermore, Jimenez’s Facebook posts were introduced where he told others to “pull up” and that he isn’t “worried about going to prison I love eating free food.” Based on his past criminal history, and the evidence presented, the jury returned a verdict sentencing Jimenez to 35 years in prison.

For over 15 years, Jimenez has been a problem in the Pleasanton community. We are grateful to the jury for their thoughtful deliberation, and appreciate the testimony of the Pleasanton Police Department, Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, the District Clerk’s Office, and our office. Prosecutors Ryan Wright and Erika Price continue to fight for the safety of Atascosa County, and I am grateful for their service and dedication.

Karnes County Defendant, Jonathan Valdez Matamoros, Sentenced to 44 years for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against a Public Servant

While housed in the Karnes GEO facility for the charge of murder, Matamoros assaulted an inmate by cutting him in the head with a shank and stabbed the guard in the arm who was working to stop the assault. On August 12, 2024, Matamoros pled no contest to assaulting the guard with a cap of 50 years in prison for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Against a Public Servant. The defendant had previously been to prison for 5 years making his punishment range 15- 50 years. Also, with this plea agreement, the defendant waived his right to appeal. On August 29, 2024, Prosecutors Audrey Vasquez and Lorena Whitney presented punishment evidence including witnesses from two arson cases, two other assaults on guards, as well as possession of a prohibited substance while in a correctional facility, all of which occurred while Matamoros was housed in the GEO facility. Based on this propensity for violence, our office asked the Judge to sentence the defendant to the full 50 years. After reviewing the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report prepared by the Karnes County Adult Probation Office, hearing testimony about all his other cases from the victims and the witnesses involved in those, and the argument from ADA Vasquez, the Honorable Judge Dillingham sentenced the defendant to 44 years in prison. Because this is an aggravated offense, the defendant must serve half of his sentence before he is eligible for parole. Matamoros’ murder charge remains pending.

Thank you to all law enforcement who worked to investigate this defendant’s cases and provided extra security for the sentencing hearing, Probation Unit Manager Veronica Garza who provided the Presentence Investigation and Report, and my Assistant District Attorneys Audrey Vasquez and Lorena Whitney, and Investigator Roland Trevino for fighting for the safety and security of our community.

Molina sentenced to 68 years in prison on 6 counts of Possession of Child Pornography ordered to run consecutively, effectively sentencing Molina to 408 years in prison

Molina’s actions first came to light in 2020 when two young women bravely came forward to law enforcement after discovering disturbing text messages on their relative’s phone. The text messages between Molina and his then-girlfriend included graphic sexual language involving a 10-year-old girl and sending sexual pictures of the child. The Atascosa County Sheriff's Office acted quickly to have the children at the house interviewed by the child advocacy center and investigators interviewed the defendant. While interviewing the defendant, Sgt. Albert Garza and Cpt. Max Peralta seized Molina’s cell phone. During a search of the phone, investigators discovered other images of child pornography.

Prosecutors worked diligently with cell phone forensic investigators at the Atascosa County Attorney’s Office, Sgt. Garza with the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, child exploitation investigators at the Texas Attorney General’s Office, forensic interviewers with the Children’s Alliance of South Texas, and Doctor Lara Spiller at Children’s Hospital of San Antonio to prosecute the case. The case was tried before a jury who returned a verdict of guilty in less than 15 minutes. This sent a clear message that Atascosa County has no tolerance for these crimes. A sentencing hearing was held on 7/24/24. Prosecutors proved that Molina was a habitual offender, which enhanced his punishment from 2-10 years in prison to 25-99 years or life on each count. Two witnesses also testified that Molina had sexually abused them when they were 11-12 years old while living in Dallas. The Honorable Judge Dillingham sentenced Molina to 68 years on each of the 6 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, and ordered the sentences to run consecutively or ‘stacked.’ Our office is grateful for the dedication and hard work of the above agencies in seeing that child abuse is prosecuted to the fullest extent possible. Prosecutors Ryan Wright and Erika Price should be commended for their aggressive prosecution. Child Pornography is more than just images; it is documented child abuse. Molina’s prior criminal history allowed a sentence more fitting for the crime and will ensure he is never outside of the prison walls again. This sentence sends a resounding statement about our community’s and office’s response to such heinous acts.

Montoya Sentenced to Life for Double Murder

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Resolving this capital murder case and getting justice for the families of Laura West and Mary Heinz close to the one year anniversary of their heinous murders was only possible because of the cooperation and teamwork between the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office and our office.

ATASCOSA COUNTY MURDERER PLEADS and AGREES TO SERVE 40 YEARS

Today, justice has come for Ricky Bernal Jr. (pictured) and his family. On August the 19th, 2023, Bernal’s grandmother heard a single gunshot come from outside. She went outside to find Bernal lying on the front porch. She had just seen him about 15 minutes prior. Bernal died from a single gunshot wound. Though there were no suspects on scene, the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office began their investigation. Investigators reviewed surveillance video that captured the murder from a distance. Reviewing phone forensic evidence led the investigators to Joseph Saiz, an acquaintance of Bernal. Investigators began their hunt for Saiz which lead them to the Comal County Jail. Saiz made incriminating statements during his interview but also tried to distance himself from the murder. During the investigation, another witness was located which confirmed that Saiz was the one who killed Bernal. After consulting with our office, the Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for the defendant.

Today, Saiz pled to 40 years in prison. He will have to serve half of the time, 20 years, before he is eligible for parole. Saiz killed Ricky in cold blood, cowardly fled the scene, and left his son without a father. Saiz deserves nothing less than the full 40 years of punishment he agreed to serve.

Sgt. Inv. Stephen Wilson, Captain Max Peralta, and other investigators with the Atascosa County Sheriff's Office did an excellent job in their relentless pursuit of this criminal. I am grateful for the dedication and hard work of Assistant DAs Ryan Wright and Erica Price for ensuring justice for Ricky Bernal, Jr. and his heartbroken family he was taken from too soon.

Karnes County Man Sentenced to 40 years on Aggravated Sexual Assault of Child

On January 19, 2023, the defendant, Charles Cisneros, walked into the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office and confessed to molesting his step-daughter while being married to her mother. The victim suffered years of unimaginable trauma and abuse at the hands of this defendant but bravely told the forensic interviewer at the Children’s Alliance of South Texas, Child Advocacy Center about the nightmare she had endured.

On May 6, 2024, the defendant pled guilty to a cap of 40 years in prison to Aggravated Sexual Assault. With this plea agreement, the child did not have to testify and relive her trauma and the defendant also waived his right to appeal. While the victim’s mother was unaware of the abuse of her child, she bravely testified at the sentencing hearing. On June 11, 2024, after reviewing the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report prepared by the Karnes County Probation Office and hearing argument from ADA Vasquez, the Honorable Judge Dillingham sentenced the defendant to 40 years in prison. The victim in the case also wrote a powerful letter that the Judge was able to read and consider for sentencing. The defendant will have to serve at least 20 years before being eligible for parole.

Thank you to Karnes County Investigator Chad Adams, Probation Unit Manager Veronica Garza and Assistant District Attorney Audrey Vasquez for ensuring that justice for our victim and protecting the community. Hopefully now, our brave and courageous victim can get the closure she truly deserves. We thank her for her bravery!