Upon pleading guilty to Manslaughter in the killing of her husband, David Quinonez, Cathi Quinonez requested the judge assess her punishment. After three days of testimony, Honorable Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Quinonez to 12 years in prison. She must serve 6 years before she is eligible for parole. The punishment range for manslaughter is 2 to 20 years in prison, with eligibility for probation. All week, the district courtroom was filled with many of David’s close family and friends. The defense argued the 60 year old defendant deserved deferred adjudication, and ADA Ryan Wright stressed 20 years was the appropriate punishment. While nothing about this week lessens the pain for our victim’s family, it closes this chapter and allows them to move forward in the healing process. We are grateful for the investigative work of Isaac Chia, Robbie Newman, Gavin Lindsay, and Max Peralta with Atascosa County Sheriff’s Office, as well as my prosecutors Ryan Wright, Kenny Lam, Erika Price, and Analyst Karen Dziuk for fighting hard for justice for David Quinones.
Two Plead Guilty to Aggravated Robbery in Karnes County
On June 14th a Karnes County jury sentenced Daniel Diaz to 35 years in prison for his role in the home invasion of a Choate couple. Diaz pled guilty to Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony on June 12, 2023. After hearing all the evidence, the jury gave him 35 years on each count. Today, July 10, 2023, Trisha Urrutia accepted responsibility for her part in the home invasion and pleaded guilty to Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit a Felony. Urrutia, Diaz’s then girlfriend, did not enter the residence, but was present at the roadway and assisted in providing the items used during the burglary. Diaz must serve at least half his sentence before becoming eligible for parole. Their co-defendant, Albert Farias, received a double life sentence in May at the conclusion of a jury trial.
We are grateful to the jury for their attention and thoughtful consideration in determining Diaz’s sentence. The victims can now close this chapter of their traumatic experience and move forward. I am proud of the work of my team, ADA Audrey Vasquez, 1st Asst. DA Leslie Carranza, Analyst Karen Dziuk, and Chief Inv. Roland Trevino for their countless hours of preparation in fighting for our victims and protection of our community.
WILSON COUNTY - DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO 42 YEARS
On May 8, 2023, after a contested sentencing hearing, the Honorable Russell Wilson sentenced Stuart Fraser to 42 years in prison on two counts of Assault of a Peace Officer. On September 2, 2020, Stuart Fraser assaulted two corrections officers as he was being magistrated at the Wilson County Jail. Mr. Fraser has an extensive criminal history including three prior convictions for Burglary of Habitation, a conviction for Aggravated Assault, and a federal conviction for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. We would like to thank the judge for looking out for the future safety of community, as well as Wilson County Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation with this prosecution, in particular, Corrections Officers Oliver and Lieutenant Heather Reyna. Wilson County Adult Probation Chief Andrew Flores and APO Jean Davis provided necessary testimony for the court and a thorough pre-sentence investigation. Special thanks for prosecutors Lorena Whitney and Marc Ledet for their work on the case
Karnes Man Gets Sentenced to Life in Prison after Jury Trial
The week of April 3, 2023, a Karnes County jury heard the horrific details of how Albert Farias, Jr. and his two co-defendants broke into the home of a retired couple living in Choate on a Saturday morning. This came after the couple already reported to the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office that someone had been on their property and cut their fence two nights before. Once Farias and his co-defendant entered the residence, they were confronted by the husband. A struggle ensued, and the husband was shot in the arm, which left his arm and hand permanently disabled. His quick-thinking wife placed a tourniquet on his arm, which saved his life. She then called 911, and he was airlifted to BAMMC. The couple had also installed game cameras on the property after their fence was cut 2 nights before. The camera footage caught the suspects who were later identified. After hearing the testimony of the courageous couple, BAMMC doctor, and numerous law enforcement officers, the jury convicted Albert Farias, Jr. on April 6th of Aggravated Robbery and Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Aggravated Assault. The defendant chose to have Presiding Judge Sid Harle decide his punishment. The defendant faced anywhere from 5-99 years or Life. After a contested hearing today, First Assistant Leslie Carranza asked the judge to sentence the defendant to life in prison. The defense requested a sentence of 10-15 years, but, the judge agreed with our argument and sentenced the defendant to life in prison. We are grateful to the Karnes County jury for their time, attention, and verdict. We appreciate the work of the EMS responders, the doctors, the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office, the Texas Rangers and the Secret Service, not only today but every day.
Valerie Campos, Chief of Karnes County Adult Probation, prepared a thorough pre-sentence investigation report to assist the judge in determining his sentence. I am truly grateful for the countless hours prosecutors Audrey Vasquez, Leslie Carranza, Investigator Roland Trevino, Analyst Karen Dziuk, Legal Assistants Stacy Cowan, and Alyssa Lerma poured in to preparing the case for trial and sentencing. This jury and judge sent a clear message to Mr. Farias and any others like him, if you choose to enter people’s homes and violate their peace and security, you will pay for the rest of your life.
WILSON COUNTY JURY SENTENCES FLORESVILLE MAN TO 50 YEARS FOR AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD
On April 26, 2023, 74-year-old Martiriano Garcia was found guilty by a Wilson County jury of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under the Age of 14. The defendant elected for the jury to assess his punishment. The jury returned a sentence of 50 years in prison. Garcia must serve at least half of that sentence before he is eligible for parole. This defendant was trusted with the care of this young child and he violated that trust. Our victim’s courage to come forward and testify about what the defendant did means he will never have the opportunity to hurt another child. We are so grateful for the jury’s decision to see that our child victim received justice and protect any future victims. The work of the Children’s Alliance of South Texas, Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, and Children’s Hospital of San Antonio was pivotal to the outcome of this case. I also appreciate the hard work of my prosecutors, Marc Ledet and Lorena Whitney, as well as our Victim Advocate, Katie Quinney, and Investigator Todd McCrohan ensuring the case was presented effectively in court and protecting our child victim. Our office will continue to fight for our most vulnerable and to put molesters behind bars.
Wilson County Jury Gives Woman 30 Years in Prison
Jodi Morrison was found guilty of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon causing serious bodily injury to a household member in Wilson County. On September 29, 2021, Morrison and her then three year old daughter were living with a couple who had taken them in, when Morrison shot the wife in the back of the head while she slept on her living room sofa. The victim survived, but was was left with lifelong disabilities. Morrison will have to serve a minimum of half her sentence before she is eligible for parole. We are grateful for the jurors’ attentiveness during trial, and the professionalism of Sgt. Gary Laughlin, Jr., Inv. Jeff Dugi, and Inv. Jack Derby of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office. Thank you to prosecutors Lorena Whitney and Marc Ledet for their hard work in fighting for justice for our victim and her family, and protecting society from further violence from this defendant.
Drug Dealer Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison in Karnes County
On January 26, 2023, Rogelio Espinoza plead guilty to court to a cap of 18 years in prison for the offense Manufacture/ Delivery Controlled Substance of 4 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine. A cap 18 offer means the range of punishment is anything from probation up to 18 years in prison. The court reset the case to March 27, 2023, for sentencing and ordered a presentence investigation report prepared by the probation department.
Back on March 19, 2021, the defendant was caught and arrested while in the middle of carrying out a drug deal. When deputies arrested him, Espinoza had baggies weighing a total of 6.2 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of cash, as well as a scale in his vehicle.
At the sentencing hearing, our office argued that the defendant had other pending drug charges and is a confirmed gang member. Honorable District Judge Russell Wilson sentenced Espinoza to 18 years in prison. We are grateful for the service of the Karnes County Sheriff’s Office, Karnes City Police Department, and Kenedy Police Department for working up cases against this defendant, as well as the efforts of Valerie Campos Chief of Adult Probation for Karnes County, as well as ADA Audrey Vasquez for making sure that a drug dealer is off the streets in Karnes County.
Pearsall Man Gets 30 Years for Injury to a Child
Emilio Villlareal’s family can finally close this chapter of their loss. On September 11, 2015, Emilio’s mom came home from work and found her 23 month old son unresponsive. He was limp, breathing heavy, and his eyes rolled back in his head. Her boyfriend, Joe Gallardo, was left in charge of Emilio and Gallardo’s one year old son. Gallardo claimed he had no idea what happened to the child. Emilio’s mom called 911. EMS did all they could, and airlifted Emilio to University Hospital. After 3 days on life support, Emilio was pronounced dead. Doctors said Emilio suffered severe and massive head trauma similar to that of a car crash. The investigation revealed that the only person responsible for this was the sole person watching him, Joe Gallardo. Gallardo never cooperated with Child Protective Services or Pearsall Police Department, and claimed Emilio fell from a small ride-on Barbie Jeep.
This case was finally presented to a grand jury after I took office in 2017, and was set for trial when Covid hit. Once he was set for trial again, the defendant fired his attorneys which caused further delay. On January 10th, the second day of jury selection, the defendant opted to plead guilty to the injury to a child charge and let the judge determine his sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
Gallardo’s attorney pleaded with the Honorable Judge Wilson for probation. But after review of the thorough presence investigation prepared by Chief of Adult Probation Renee Merten, the judge sentenced Gallardo to the maximum 30 years.
The hearts of so many dedicated public servants went into Emilio’s case. The Frio County EMS, the nurses and doctors at University Hospital, the CPS workers all remembered Emilio. One CPS worker cared so deeply for Emilio that she attended Gallardo’s sentencing hearing. Then Pearsall PD Chief Peter Salinas and Sgt. Mike Guerrero were instrumental in the investigation of the case. We are grateful for everyone’s hard work, and most thankful that the family is able to find some long overdue justice for Emilio.
Karnes County-Defendant Receives 60 Year Prison Sentence for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
On December 7, 2021, the Defendant was arrested for violently assaulting his common-law wife and striking her multiple times with a baseball bat. The victim fled to a neighbor’s house and called the police. On February 28, 2023, after hearing the courageous testimony of the victim, as well as the testimony of law enforcement and medical professionals, a Karnes County jury found Ruben Cano guilty of two counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The defendant elected to have Judge Russell Wilson determine his punishment. The case was reset for the Judge to obtain a pre-sentence investigation report prepared by the probation department.
At the sentencing hearing March 9, 2023, our office presented evidence that the defendant had previously been to prison twice, both times for Burglary of a Habitation. This enhanced the defendant’s punishment range from 2-20 years in prison to 25-99 years or life in prison. In addition, the State presented evidence that while on bond the defendant was charged with two other felonies and an additional charge while in custody at the GEO facility. After a contested punishment hearing, Honorable District Judge Russell Wilson sentenced the defendant to 60 years in prison. The defendant will have to serve at least half of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.
We are grateful for the service of the Karnes County Jury, as well as the efforts of Karnes City Police Chief Eddie Salas and Sgt. Mike Ochoa, Probation Chief Valerie Campos, and Karnes County 1st Chair prosecutor Audrey Vasquez, Atascosa County 1st Chair Ryan Wright and our Chief Investigator Roland Trevino for fighting for justice for our victim and an effective presentation of the case. This defendant will no longer be a menace in our community thanks to everyone’s hard work.
Cotulla Man Given 20 Years for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child
On March 9th a Frio County jury convicted and sentenced Henry Gilbert Ayala, Jr. aka Paco Ayala to 20 years in prison for the offense of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child. The trial was moved from La Salle to Frio County after a La Salle jury was unable to be selected due to incredibly low juror turnout. Paco Ayala was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 13 year old child who lived in his home at the time of the offense. Ayala will have to serve a minimum of half his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
We are extremely proud of our victim, who courageously testified against the defendant, and because of her courage, no other child will suffer abuse from this defendant while he is incarcerated.
Thank you to Texas Ranger Lieutenant Randy Garcia, La Salle County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Homar Olivarez and Investigator Esmeralda Gonzalez, as well as Children’s Alliance of South Texas for all their continued hard work, and seeing the case through to the conviction of this defendant. Of course, we are grateful to our prosecutor First Assistant Leslie Carranza for fighting for justice for our victim.
