On January 18, 2023, 49 year old, Juan Martinez was found guilty of felony DWI (with two or more prior convictions) and Evading Arrest with a Vehicle by an Atascosa County jury.
Martinez was stopped by Atascosa County Deputy Guy Bruce after he noticed Martinez driving all over the road on I37. Martinez admitted to drinking too much. Trooper Tyler Justice conducted the DWI investigation and determined Martinez was intoxicated.
Martinez chose to have the judge determine his sentence after an Atascosa jury found him guilty. Martinez was facing 25 years to life in prison based on his criminal record. The judge heard evidence that Martinez had two prior prison sentences, one for DWI and another for Intoxication Manslaughter (killing someone while intoxicated). His criminal history included 3 more DWI convictions as well as a prior Evading Arrest conviction. In addition, he cut his ankle monitor off while awaiting trial, and admitted to drinking “hooch” while in the jail. The Honorable Judge Dillingham sentenced Martinez to 46 years in prison on Monday.
We are grateful for the service of our Atascosa jurors, our ACSO and DPS for getting Martinez off the roads and preventing Martinez from putting any more lives at risk. The jury found Martinez used a deadly weapon during the crime, so he will have to serve at least half his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Thank you to Adult Probation Officer Brittnay Ibarra for preparing a thorough pre-sentence investigation report for the court, our former ADA Bradlee Thornton and Atascosa 1st chair ADA Ryan Wright for presenting the case, as well as Erika Price, for her presentation of the punishment evidence to the court.
STALKER GETS 40 YEARS IN ATASCOSA COUNTY
On October 19, 2022 an Atascosa Jury convicted Justin Ray Bosquez of the third degree felony offense of stalking. The defendant elected for Judge Lynn Ellison to assess punishment instead of the jury and the case was reset for the Judge to obtain a pre-sentence investigation report prepared by the probation department.
At the sentencing hearing on November 22, 2022, our office presented evidence that the defendant had previously been to prison twice, once for Assault of a Public Servant, and a second time for Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon. This enhanced the defendant’s punishment range from 2-10 years in prison to 25-99 years or life in prison. In addition, evidence was also presented showing the defendant’s history of family violence, weapons, and violations of a protective order. After a contested punishment hearing, Honorable District Judge Lynn Ellison sentenced the defendant to 40 years in prison. We are grateful for the service of the Atascosa County jury, as well as the efforts of Jourdanton Police Department, adult probation, and Asst. DA Bradlee Thornton for his effective presentation of the case.
CHILD MOLESTER GETS 30 YEARS IN WILSON COUNTY
After pleading guilty on all counts and a subsequent sentencing hearing involving multiple witnesses, last week the Hon. Lynn Ellison sentenced Justin Earl Roan to 30 years for counts 1 through 3 of aggravated sexual assault of a child. Additionally, Roan was sentenced to 15 years each on 4 counts of indecency with a child. Judge Ellison ran the punishment on all seven counts concurrent over the State’s request to stack each count. Through tough circumstances, the victim and the victim’s family had the courage to make sure that Mr. Roan would never have the opportunity to hurt another child. We applaud their bravery, perseverance, and determination. I am grateful for the work of prosecutors Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney for fighting for justice for our victim. We would also like to thank the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office including Investigator Gary Laughlin, Jr. for all their hard work in bringing this defendant to justice.
ATASCOSA JURY GIVES MAN 44 YEARS FOR KILLING HIS SON
On June 1st, an Atascosa County jury convicted Abel C. Esquivel for the May 31, 2019 murder of his son, Abel S. Esquivel. On that day the two men got into an argument, and the defendant went inside and retrieved a pistol. The defendant fired the fatal shot as the victim was walking away, striking him in the back of the head. The defendant’s inconsistent defense alleged that the shooting was an accident, but if it wasn’t an accident, then it was self-defense or defense of property. Surveillance video recovered from the defendant’s home clearly showed the defendant follow his son after an argument and shoot him in the back of the head.
During the punishment phase of the trial, the defense changed yet again to argue that the murder was committed with sudden passion, which would bring his maximum sentence down to 20 years. The jury also heard evidence that although the defendant was a veteran of the Air Force, he had repeatedly abused two of his past wives and children, including incidents where he threatened them with the same gun he used to kill his son. The jury rejected his defense yet again and sentenced him to 44 years in prison.
Thank you to the jury for their thoughtful consideration of the evidence. The case was investigated by the Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office who did an excellent job recovering the evidence necessary to bring the defendant to justice. I am extremely proud of the work of Atascosa Chief Asst. DA Bradlee Thornton, Asst. DA Ryan Wright, and Chief Investigator Roland Trevino for ensuring the defendant was brought to justice.
WILSON COUNTY: Steven Garrett Holland was sentenced on an open plea on four felonies
Steven Garrett Holland was sentenced on an open plea on four felonies, the highest being Possession of a Controlled Substance 4 to 200 grams, a second-degree felony that was enhanced to a first degree. After hearing evidence, the Hon. Russell Wilson sentenced Holland to 15 years in prison and a maximum of 2 years of state jail for his state jail felonies. Holland had six prior felony convictions, he was facing four felonies here in Wilson, and still has three more felonies pending in Bexar and Comal Counties. Special thanks to both the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office and the La Vernia Police Department for all their hard work in apprehending Holland and taking a repeat felon off the streets.
WILSON COUNTY: Richard Gonzales III Plead guilty and received 20 Years in prison
Richard Gonzales III was facing seven felony charges of manufacturing and delivering narcotics pleaded to 20 years in prison. The incentive to plead was due to the outstanding work of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Narcotics Division which left him with no choice but to plead rather than face a Wilson County jury. Another example of the teamwork of our prosecutors and Wilson County Sheriff's Office working together to put away drug dealers.
WILSON COUNTY: HON. JUDGE RUSSELL WILSON SENTENCES MAN 50 YEARS FOR EVADING WITH A VEHICLE
Chad Spence was sentenced after being convicted for Evading with a Vehicle by a Wilson County jury on January 25th by the Hon. Russell Wilson to a term of 50 years in prison. Based upon his prior penitentiary trips for four separate felonies, Mr. Spence qualified as a habitual felon, facing 25 years to 99 years. Mr. Spence was on parole at the time he committed this offense. Spence was paroled after only serving 8 years of a 40-year sentence for the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance when he committed the Evading Arrest in Wilson County. Spence was found with over 27 grams of methamphetamine, $8,000 in cash, and a pistol at the time of his arrest, which was proved up by my office during the punishment phase. Special thanks again to Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, particularly Sargent Darrell Collins and Deputy Rodney Dennis, who went above and beyond in arresting Mr. Spence and building the case against him. We appreciate the jury for their service, and the work of Asst. District Attorneys, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, as well as Assistant District Attorney Will Richmond, who was vital in putting on the evidence during the punishment phase and securing the prison term.
WILSON COUNTY MAN GETS 30 YEARS FOR 7th DW
After being found guilty on March 16th by a Wilson County jury, Martin Perez was sentenced on March 28th to 30 years in prison for his seventh conviction for Driving While Intoxicated. On November 9th, 2020, DPS was dispatched to the scene of a one car accident. Mr. Perez was the driver and only occupant of the vehicle. Investigation revealed he had a strong smell of alcohol coming from his person and could not remember where he had come from or his home address. Based on those facts, DPS received a warrant to draw his blood at Connally Hospital and his blood alcohol content came back at .269, over three times the legal limit. We would like to thank Trooper Jayme Powers for all his hard work in making this case and assisting our prosecution team. Special thank you to our Community Supervision and Corrections Department, Unit Manager, Andrew Flores, for preparing a thorough presentence investigation for the Honorable Judge Russell Wilson to determine a proper and just sentence. We are proud of the decisive service of our jurors, and I am grateful for our Wilson County prosecutors, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, for their hard work on this case. There is no excuse for driving intoxicated. You jeopardize the lives of everyone on our roads. Stay home or get a driver, never get behind the wheel impaired.
Menchaca sentenced to 70 years
Thank you to the Pleasanton Express for recognizing and covering this important case! We are proud of our victim for having the courage to testify and protect her family from further violence. We are grateful to the jury for ensuring the safety of the victim and her family as well as protecting our community from this violent criminal. This case exemplifies the teamwork of the Jourdanton Police Department, Atascosa County Sheriff's Office, DPS, and our office. I am proud of Atascosa Chief Prosecutor Bradlee Thornton and Chief Investigator Roland Trevino for the time and dedication poured into ensuring justice was served. Thank you to our Victim Assistance Coordinator, Katie Quinney, Safer Path Family Violence Shelter, and Jennifer Fernandez with Guadalupe Family Violence Shelter for all their support.
https://www.pleasantonexpress.com/articles/guilty-menchaca-sentenced-to-70-years/
WILSON COUNTY JURY CONVICTS MAN OF ASSAULT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE with PRIOR CONVICTION and SENTENCES HIM TO 5.5 YEARS
Gabriel Luna was found guilty by a jury of striking his sister in the face. Luna had three prior convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence assaults, which enhanced the crime to a third degree felony. Luna faced anywhere from 2 to 10 years in prison. We are thankful to the jurors of Wilson County for their service, as well as Officer Kevin Pena with the Floresville Police Department. Thank you to ADAs Lorena Whitney and Marc Ledet for ensuring justice was served for the victim.
