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.
FRIO COUNTY JURY CONVICTS MAN OF MURDERING HIS FATHER.
After a week long trial, a Frio County jury found Caleb Patrick Daniels guilty of the murder of his father, Dennis Eldon Daniels and sentenced him to 50 years in prison. The shooting death of Dennis Daniels took place on July 14, 2018. Officers received a 911 call from Caleb Daniels stating that his father shot at him and he shot back in self-defense. In his initial call, he claimed both he and his father were bleeding. A few minutes later, 911 dispatchers received a second call from Caleb Daniels stating he was fine and wasn’t bleeding after all but that his father still needed medical attention. Frio County sheriff’s deputies and members of the Texas Rangers arrived to find Dennis Daniels already deceased. The Texas Rangers interviewed Caleb that day and were told that he and his father went to family property in Pearsall to shoot. Caleb stated that his father began arguing with him and turned and fired his gun at Caleb, causing Caleb to shoot back.
Jurors heard testimony that upon investigating Caleb Daniels’ claims of self- defense, officers discovered that two days prior to the murder, Caleb drafted his Last Will and Testament. One day prior to the murder, Caleb mailed a package to a friend that contained several “good-bye letters” as well as detailed instructions of how to send these letters out and what to post on his social media pages should he not return from his day at the shooting range with his father.
The Texas Rangers made contact with Caleb to interview him a second time. It was during this second interview that Caleb Daniels admitted there was no argument with his father, and his father never shot at him or even pointed a gun at him. Caleb admitted to shooting his father without provocation, and admitted to making the scene look as if his father had shot at him by shooting his father’s gun towards his direction prior to calling 911. In addition to hearing from the Texas Rangers, jurors also heard from Caleb’s mother who stated he’d confessed to her that he’d killed his father and had staged the crime scene.
We are grateful to the jurors for their service. The criminal justice system only works when jurors are willing to serve. We are grateful for their thoughtful reflection in ensuring Mr. Daniels received justice. Many thanks to the hard work of the Frio County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Ranger Shane Staley, as well as the prosecution team of First Assistant Leslie Carranza, and ADA Kenny Lam.
Karnes County: Marina Fifield pled to 27 years for the murder of Randal Walden.
On January 1, 2019, the Karnes County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to Gillett, Texas in reference to a shooting. Marina Fifield called 911 and told deputies that she had shot Randal Mason Walden during an argument they were having. Fifield and Walden were involved in a relationship prior to the shooting. Fifield initially claimed self-defense. Walden was transported to San Antonio Medical Center via Air Life with a gunshot wound to the face. He succumbed to his injuries on January 3rd.
Walden was described in a victim impact statement written by his ex-wife as being, “incredibly kind, caring, and generous with what he had to give.” She stated, in reference to Fifield, “ A few days before you took his life he called while on his way to New Orleans and we discussed you and he made a decision to send you back to Utah to your mother because he said he couldn’t help you any longer. He told me his plan was to put you on a bus January 2, 2019, and hated to admit he had failed to help you in the way you needed help the most.” Walden was known for his sense of humor and ability to make people laugh and was a veteran of the United Stated Navy. Special thanks to Assistant District Attorney, Brett Pattillo, who handled the case.
Man Receives 22 Year Prison Sentence in Frio County
Honorable Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Abel Eric Trevino to 22 years in prison for the offense of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The victim in this case was younger than 12 years old at the time of the offense. The child reported the sexual assault to their mother, who initially did not report it to law enforcement. An anonymous caller reached out to the Dilley Police Department and provided them with the name of the child, the name of the child’s mother and the address of where they lived. The Dilley Police Department worked in conjunction with the Texas Rangers to investigate this case. The young child was able to describe the sexual abuse that had occurred. Law enforcement made contact with Abel Eric Trevino and he subsequently confessed to the sexual assault. This young child showed a tremendous amount of courage in speaking out against the defendant despite receiving very little family support.
It takes a village to protect our children. We would like to thank the the anonymous caller for notifying law enforcement, Dilley Police Department, Texas Ranger Daniel McMillon, and First Assistant DA Leslie Carranza for their hard work and tireless dedication to protecting the most vulnerable in our society.
A WILSON COUNTY JURY CONVICTED AND SENTENCED MAX MARROQUIN, JR. FOR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON
A Wilson County jury sentenced Max Marroquin, Jr. to six years in prison yesterday. Jurors heard testimony that on February 24, 2018, Marroquin threatened the victim with a firearm while the defendant’s son was present. After the jury verdict, Marroquin also pled guilty to Possession of Controlled Substance for two years in prison. Thank you to the jury for answering the call to serve, and seeing that justice was done. The justice system does not work without jurors' willingness to serve. While our servicemen and women continue to selflessly serve in dangerous conditions, jury duty is one way everyone can contribute and serve our country. Thank you to the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and specifically the tireless work of deputies Joseph Martinez, Darrell Collins, Rodney Wigley and former deputy Matthew Flynn. Special thanks to Assistant District Attorneys Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for prosecuting the case.
