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.
JUDGE HANDS DOWN 25 YEAR SENTENCE FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
On October 23, 2019, Honorable 81st District Judge Russell Wilson of the 81st District Court in Atascosa County, Texas, sentenced Kevin Warnken to 25 years in prison for the offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Involving Family Violence and the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for the offence of Unlawful Restraint Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Because of the aggravated nature of the first offense, Warnken must serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
On November 21, 2016, the Pleasanton Police Department responded to a report of a domestic disturbance that originated at Bar K in Pleasanton. It was reported that Kevin Warnken had assaulted his girlfriend in the bar and had forced her to leave against her will. The officers eventually located Warnken’s truck at his apartment and found that the inside was covered with a large amount of blood. Eventually, officers were able to get Warnken to come to his door and found his girlfriend inside. They were immediately stunned by her swollen eyes and blood covered face and eyes, and the graphic nature of her injuries.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment from her wounds. She sustained an orbital fracture that still affects her vision to this day, as well as multiple bite marks, lacerations, and bruises. She told the officers that after being forced to leave the bar, Warnken continued to assault her in his truck and at his apartment, as well as at the ranch owned by his father.
In addition to testimony of the horrific nature of this assault, the judge also heard about Warnken’s past conduct. The District Attorney’s Office presented testimony of prior arrests and convictions including Racing on a Highway, Unlawfully Carrying a Weapon, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Resisting Arrest, Possession of a Controlled Substance, Introducing a Controlled Substance into a Correctional Facility, Assault Family Violence, Driving While Intoxicated, as well as multiple other assaults.
The Judge also heard evidence of multiple arrest for Evading in a Motor Vehicle. On one occasion, Warnken let police on a high-speed chase at speed over 100 mph through Atascosa and Wilson counties, until he eventually was apprehended in Bexar County. In addition to these crimes, the Judge heard evidence that Kevin Warnken is a member of the Bandidos motorcycle gang. The Bandidos are affiliated with drug trafficking and violent crimes.
The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the Pleasanton Police Department for their investigative efforts and the hard work put into getting justice for the victim in this case. Additionally, the office would like to thank the other agencies responsible for investigating his many crimes, including the Texas Department of Public Safety – Highway Patrol and the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office. It is though the hard work and dedication of our local law enforcement and my Assistant District Attorney, Bradlee Thornton, that this career criminal is finally taken off the street.
LIFE SENTENCE FOR A WILSON COUNTY REPEAT CHILD PREDATOR
Twelve jurors in Wilson County gave a child victim justice today, after the jury found Paul Pesina guilty of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. Pesina previously served 12 years in prison for Aggravated Assault of a Child, and because of that prior conviction, he received an automatic life sentence in this case. Our office and the victim’s family are grateful for the jurors’ thoughtful deliberation as well as the hard work of law enforcement, Children’s Alliance of South Texas, and my dedicated prosecution team, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney. The child's unwavering courage will keep Pesina from ever molesting another child.
ATASCOSA JURY CONVICTS MAN OF MANSLAUGHTER
After less than an hour of deliberating, an Atascosa County jury found Marcellino Estrada guilty of manslaughter. Estrada was charged with manslaughter in the death of Stephen Willey at Texas South Bar in Pleasanton in October of 2016. Estrada will face sentencing by 81st Judicial District Judge Russell Wilson on November 25th. We are grateful to the jury for their time, thoughtful attention, and giving the Willey family some sense of peace and justice. I am also thankful for the hard work and determination of Pleasanton Police Department and my prosecution team, Brad Thornton and Kenny Lam, along with Victim Advocate, Katie Quinney, who will continue to be with the family every step of the way.
TODAY FORMER WILSON COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR- COLLECTOR, ANNA GONZALES, SENTENCED
On August 21, 2019, Anna Gonzales, retired Wilson County Tax Assessor Collector, pleaded guilty before the Honorable Judge Donna Rayes to the charge of Securing Execution of a Document by Deception. On that day she also paid over $17,000 in back taxes owed to the county.
The District Attorney’s office did not enter into a plea bargain agreement with Ms. Gonzales, so her plea of guilty subjected her to the full range of punishment which included between six months to two years in state prison or up to five years of probation, and up to a $10,000 fine.
Gonzales’ defense attorney argued that his client should receive no prison time due to her age, failing health, and lack of criminal history.
As your elected District Attorney, it was my duty to argue that she serve prison time because that was justice in this case. Public officials who commit crimes by abusing their position and power need to be held to a higher standard. Anna Gonzales violated the trust of her constituents, her employees, and her family.
While many in our community work hard to save and pay their property taxes, Gonzales took advantage of her position by manipulating the computer system in her office allowing her to avoid paying taxes for well over a decade.
At the end of today’s hearing, the judge sentenced Gonzalez to the full five years of probation, assessed a $10,000 fine, and ordered her to turn herself in to Wilson County jail tomorrow to await transport to an Intermediate Sanction Facility (ISF). The ISF is a lock-down, prison-like facility where Gonzalez will stay for the next 45 to 120 days. In addition, Gonzales was ordered to write a letter of apology to the citizens of Wilson County within 30 days and that the letter be published in the local newspapers as well as on the Wilson County website. Gonzales was ordered to pay all outstanding fines and penalties to date, perform 100 hours of community service, and attend an anti-theft class.
We are thankful to Dawn Barnett, the current Wilson County Tax Assessor and attorney Jeffrey Garcia of Linebarger, Goggan, Blair & Sampson Law Firm for uncovering this abuse as well as the assistance of the Texas Rangers.
My office will continue to work with the Texas Rangers and all other investigative agencies to assure the citizens of this district that local corruption will be uncovered, stopped, and prosecuted fully.
