John Ledezma pled guilty and was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the murder of Ruben Esparza (pictured below), and the assault against his estranged wife Elsa Ledezma. On September 19, 2018 John Ledezma entered into the home shared by Ruben Esparza and Elsa Ledezma, and brutally attacked both of them with a box cutter. Mr. Esparza did not survive his injuries. We are thankful for the excellent investigative work by the Pearsall Police Department and the Texas Rangers. It is through their hard work that we were able to seek a swift justice for this defendant and close this chapter for the family of Ruben Esparza, so they may have some sense of peace and closure.
WILSON COUNTY MAN RECEIVES 35 YEAR CONSECUTIVE SENTENCES FOR SEXUAL ABUSE
The Honorable Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Marcus Idrogo to 35 years in prison on two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and ordered those sentences to run consecutively. This means Idrogo was sentenced to 70 years.
Marcus Idrogo’s victim, who was 11 years old at the time he repeatedly raped her, finally saw justice. Our victim endured recounting the horrific details of her abuse by testi...fying in a jury trial last summer. The jury also heard evidence of a sexually transmitted disease, and DNA. Despite this evidence, a Wilson County jury was unable to reach a verdict. To avoid traumatizing our victim with a second trial, Idrogo was placed on 10 years probation. While on probation, Idrogo admitted to the sexual assault of his niece, and violated the conditions of his probation. The judge then revoked his probation and sentenced him.
We are grateful for the work of First Assistant District Attorney, Leslie Carranza, Investigator Richard Nichols, and Probation Officer Jamie Weida, for going above and beyond the call of duty. It was delayed, but justice was served.
WILSON COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS AND $10,000 FINE
On May 29th, a Wilson County jury convicted Troy Sanchez, Jr. of Evading Arrest/Detention with a Motor Vehicle. The incident occurred on July 27, 2018. Floresville Police Department attempted to stop Sanchez. At that time, Sanchez led Officers on a pursuit that ended in San Antonio. The Honorable Judge Lynn Ellison sentenced Mr. Sanchez to the maximum - 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Thank you to the jury for their attention and service, the Floresville Police Department, Wilson County Sheriff's Office, and DPS. Their teamwork ultimately brought Troy Sanchez, Jr. to justice.
ATASCOSA COUNTY MAN SENTENCED TO 28 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT
Honorable Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Gilbert Sandoval, Jr. to 28 years in prison for the aggravated sexual assault of his 6 year old niece. This brave child, now 10 years old, and wise beyond her years, gave a statement to the court, "Family is supposed to help you, support you, and protect you. Instead he hurt me." Her bravery will protect any future children from Mr. Sandoval, Jr. Special thanks to Asst. DA Raneca Henson, Atascosa Sheriff's Investigator Albert Garza, Chief Probation Officer Val Campos, and Children's Alliance of.South Texas for doing their parts to make sure justice is served.
ATASCOSA COUNTY CHILD MOLESTER PLEADS GUILTY TO 3O YEARS IN PRISON
Another child victim was spared from the trauma of having to testify against her molester. Yesterday, in lieu of trial, Arnoldo Villarreal pled guilty to Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. We are grateful for the investigative work of Pleasanton Police Department, the efforts of Children's Alliance of South Texas, as well as the cell phone analysis by Investigator Robert Tarin with the Atascosa County Attorney's Office. The cooperation and hard work of these agencies were instrumental in getting justice for our victim.
SEX OFFENDER IN FRIO COUNTY SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS
Jose Jesus Castor aka Joe Bernal pled guilty and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, and 10 years in prison for Failure to Comply with Sex Offender Registration. The defendant was the new boyfriend of the young victim’s mother. Our young victim bravely reached out to the school counselor, who promptly contacted both law enforcement and Child Protective Services. Through the cooperation of multiple state agencies, this defendant will be unable to harm any other children for years to come. This sentence also allowed for the defendant to be punished without having to traumatize our victim by having her testify in a trial. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the hard work of the Pearsall Police Department, the school counselors at Pearsall Intermediate, Child Protective Services, and the Children’s Alliance of South Texas. We would not be able to seek justice on behalf of these brave children without each and every one of these agencies.
SIX YEAR SENTENCE FOR DWI 3RD CONVICTION
Alfredo Moreno Rodriguez, after being found guilty of DWI 3rd or More by an Atascosa County jury on April 4, 2019, was sentenced on April 29th to 6 years in prison by Judge Lynn Ellison. DPS Trooper Jason Sanchez stopped Mr. Rodriguez after the Poteet Strawberry Festival on Highway 16 on April 8, 2017. We commend Trooper Sanchez for taking Mr. Rodriguez off the street, and protecting the lives of innocent drivers on the road that night. Thank you to Assistant District Attorneys Bradlee Thornton and Kenny Lam for trying the case, and Valerie Campos with adult probation for the thorough pre-sentence investigation report.
Jared Woodward: Pled and sentenced to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Robberies in Karnes and Atascosa Counties
On April 23, 2019, Jared Woodward pled and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Robberies in Karnes and Atascosa Counties. Woodward robbed a Shell Station at gunpoint in Campbellton, Texas in Atascosa County, where he stole cash and cigarettes. In Karnes County, Woodward pointed a gun at a Hobson resident through the window of her garage door that led to the kitchen, entered her home, and demanded money from her purse.
“As a community, we expect to be safe i...n the security of our homes. Mr. Woodward violated that sense of trust and security. While this sentence gives our victims some sense of justice, they have forever lost that sense of security, particularly that one should have in their own home. We hope Mr. Woodward’s acceptance of responsibility relieves our victims from the stress of confronting him in the courtroom, and protects South Texas from reach of such a violent man. Thank you to all our area law enforcement agencies for working together with the District Attorney’s Office to bring this man to justice."
Mr. Woodward is also serving a 15 year sentence for Aggravated Robbery in Live Oak County, and 20 years for Robbery in Gonzales County.
Every Victim, Every Time Conference
81st Judicial District Attorney, Audrey Louis and Victim Advocate, Katie Quinney were honored to be invited to present with Kris and Julie Workman to a standing-room only crowd about the Sutherland Springs shooting at the "Every Victim, Every Time" Crime Victim Conference in College Station. The Workman's genuine faith touched many hearts, ours included.
Christopher Kines: Sentenced to 50 years in prison for murder, 20 years for tampering with evidence
Having been convicted by a Wilson County jury, defendant Christopher Kines was sentenced by the Hon. Lynn Ellison to fifty years in prison for the brutal murder of Jessica Edens of San Antonio, and twenty years for tampering with evidence. We are thankful for the verdict of the jury, the quick work by the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers, and San Antonio Police Department, who were able to make an identification of Jessica’s remains, apprehend her assailants, and help bring them to justice. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Eden Family, and we hope this sentence brings them some sense of peace.
