May 12, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Donte Murry, 26, of McKinney, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for Capital Murder after a Collin County jury convicted him.

The Crime

On April 28, 2024, around 2:00 p.m., McKinney Police responded to reports of gunfire in a neighborhood. Witnesses observed a man approach a white vehicle parked on the street, argue with the occupant, and fire multiple shots. After the shooting, the suspect returned to the vehicle, rummaged through it, removed items, and fled on foot. Officers found the victim inside the white vehicle with a gunshot wound to the chest.

The Investigation

Crime scene investigators recovered a .45 caliber shell casing inside the victim’s vehicle that was later matched to a handgun found in Murry’s backpack. Investigators determined Murry and the victim had exchanged gunfire during a planned drug deal that turned into an armed robbery. Muddy footprints led officers to a nearby residence where the McKinney SWAT Team helped locate Murry and execute a search warrant. Officers recovered Murry’s firearm, the victim’s stolen firearm, and marijuana taken from the victim’s vehicle. In a recorded interview with Detective Mark Brydges, Murry repeatedly lied before admitting the meeting was for a drug deal and that he intended to rob the victim.

The Trial and Sentence

Prosecutors presented Murry’s recorded interview and incriminating text messages proving he planned the robbery. A Collin County jury convicted him of Capital Murder. Judge Kimberly Laseter presided over the trial and assessed the automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This defendant planned an armed robbery, murdered the victim, and then tried to cover it up with lies. A Collin County jury saw through it all and held him fully accountable. Thanks to strong police work and effective prosecution, he will never threaten our community again.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Mollie Thompson and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Michael Bennett, legal support from John Rolater, and victim support from Jill Moore.

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May 5, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Marty Duwayne Griego, 52, of Denton, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison without parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Disabled Individual after sexually abusing a severely autistic child.

The Crime

Griego had an ongoing relationship with the child’s family that gave him access to the victim. Over the course of a year, he repeatedly sexually abused the severely autistic child, with the abuse ending when she was 15 years old. The crimes came to light when Griego assaulted the victim in front of another child, who immediately outcried to authorities. Plano Police Department was notified.

The Investigation

The victim underwent a medical exam that produced DNA evidence linking Griego to the abuse. She was then forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she provided detailed accounts of repeated abuse occurring in Plano, Carrollton, and Corpus Christi. Plano Police Detective Catherine Foreman led the investigation.

The Verdict and Sentence

On April 22, 2026, a Collin County jury convicted Griego of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Disabled Individual. During the punishment phase, jurors heard evidence that Griego had also sexually abused another child and had sexually assaulted an adult who reported the crime after his arrest. The jury assessed punishment at 50 years in prison. By law, the sentence carries no eligibility for parole. Judge Rayburn Nall presided over the trial.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“A serial predator who preyed on a severely disabled child will never walk free again. This 50-year, no-parole sentence delivers the justice our most vulnerable victims deserve.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jean-Marie Anderson and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.

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April 21, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Carlos Wilfredo Cruz Rivera, 41, of Allen, Texas, has been sentenced to 50 years in Prison for Possession of Child Pornography involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Rivera’s phone contained approximately 1,800 photos and videos that contained the illegal images, with some images of children under the age of 10.

The Crime

In June 2025, the Allen Police Department received seven CyberTip reports from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) after a user uploaded approximately 30 files of CSAM onto a cloud-based storage platform. NCMEC forwarded the tips to the North Texas Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, which alerted Allen PD.

The Investigation

Detective William Brewer reviewed the material, confirmed it was CSAM, and obtained administrative subpoenas and search warrants. The investigation identified Carlos Wilfredo Cruz Rivera. On July 31, 2025, Detective Brewer executed a search warrant at Rivera’s Allen residence. Detective Jared McConathy interviewed Rivera, who initially denied involvement but later admitted to possessing the material when confronted with evidence.

Forensic examination of Rivera’s seized devices revealed approximately 1,800 CSAM images and videos.

The Sentence

Cruz Rivera plead guilty to two first degree felony charges of possessing CSAM. After hearing evidence and testimony, Judge Kimberly Laseter sentenced Rivera to 50 years in prison on each charge, to run concurrently.

Statement from District Attorney Greg Willis

“This 50-year sentence ensures this man can never again prey on innocent children. Every CyberTip matters. Thanks to Allen police and NCMEC, another predator is off our streets. We will continue to use every tool available to protect our children from online exploitation.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ann Mathew and Katherine Burgess prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.

Report suspected child sexual exploitation: Submit tips anonymously to www.cybertip.org or contact your local police department.

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April 1, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Emiliano Miguel Zapatero, now 17, of McKinney, was convicted of Capital Murder for the killing of two men in McKinney in late 2024. Because Zapatero was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, Texas law required a sentence of life imprisonment with parole eligibility after 40 calendar years.

The Crime

On November 9, 2024, officers with the McKinney Police Department responded to a shooting call near Chestnut Street in McKinney. Upon arrival, officers found two victims suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The victims were transferred to Medical City McKinney, where they were later pronounced deceased.

The Investigation

Investigators processed the crime scene and collected evidence, including surveillance footage of the incident. The video showed Zapatero repeatedly attempting to obtain a firearm from another person at the scene. After gaining control of the weapon, Zapatero shot the two victims as they attempted to flee. He fired a total of 13 shots, then struck both men in the head with the firearm before fleeing. Detectives Monte Robertson and Mark Brydges led the investigation and located and arrested Zapatero several days later.

Verdict and Sentence

Zapatero was 16 years old at the time of the offense but was certified to stand trial as an adult due to the seriousness of the crime. After reviewing the video evidence and hearing testimony from witnesses, the jury convicted Zapatero of Capital Murder. Judge Andrea Thompson imposed the automatic life sentence required by Texas law for a certified juvenile offender. Because the defendant was under 18 at the time of the offense, the sentence includes parole eligibility after serving 40 calendar years, with no reduction for good-conduct time.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This conviction and life sentence deliver accountability for the brutal murder of two men. No family should have to bury loved ones because of this kind of senseless violence. Our thoughts remain with the victims’ families as they continue to grieve,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Oestreich and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Jeremy Bigham.

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March 24, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Christopher John Greene, 53, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child he abused over a five year period, along with additional sentences 20 years in prison for Indecency with a Child and Possession of Child Pornography.

The Crime

Greene began sexually abusing the child when the victim was just 10 years old. The abuse continued until the child turned 15. Greene had ongoing access to the child through a relationship with the child’s family. In 2023 – 17 years after the abuse ended – the victim disclosed the crimes to a counselor, prompting a police investigation.

The Investigation

Frisco Police detectives interviewed the victim, who provided detailed accounts of the abuse that occurred in the early 2000s. During the investigation, three other men came forward, outcrying that Greene had abused them as children, with some incidents dating back as the 1980s. Frisco Police Detective Nessa McFarland led the investigation.

After Greene’s arrest, detectives executed a search warrant at his home and seized a hard drive. Frisco Police Detective Walker Martin conducted forensic examination and recovered multiple images of child pornography.

The Sentence

Greene pleaded guilty to the charges last month and asked for the judge to determine punishment. After reviewing the evidence, including the testimony about the long-term pattern of abuse, Judge Angela Tucker sentenced Greene to 50 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, 20 years for Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact, and 5 years for Possession of Child Pornography. By law, these sentences will run concurrently.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This sentence means a predator can no longer prey on the innocent, because for too long, the innocent have paid the price for his crimes,” said Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Pierce Richardson and Anthony D’Amore prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller.

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March 11, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Detaron Fenley, 39, of Allen, Texas, was found guilty by a Collin County jury and given the maximum sentences of life in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault and 20 years in prison for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

The Crime

In the early morning hours of September 24, 2024, Plano Police responded to a violent assault at a local hotel. Officers found extensive signs of a struggle, including significant blood throughout the room and on the walls. The female victim had been taken to the hospital; Plano Police Criminalists Susan Hassan, Ashley Canon, and Bao Nguyen processed the scene and recovered critical evidence.

The Investigation

At the hospital, the victim reported that a man entered her room, pulled a knife on her, and beat her severely as she fought back.  She lost consciousness before being sexually assaulted. Hotel surveillance video showed the suspect arriving and leaving in a dark-colored BMW, which traffic cameras and detectives traced to Fenley. A search warrant at his residence recovered bloody clothing worn during the assault. Plano Police Detective Jonathan Hay, the lead investigator on the case, interviewed Fenley and obtained a partial confession.

The Verdict and Sentence

After hearing all the evidence, the jury quickly convicted Fenley on both counts. In the punishment phase, five women testified about years of violence, stalking, assault, and sexual assault by Fenley. The jury imposed the maximum sentences, which by law run concurrently.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This was a brutal rape, and the jury heard evidence that he had raped and terrorized other women. After seeing that pattern of violence, they made sure a dangerous sexual predator is now off the streets for good,” said Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashleigh Woodall and Christina Skipper prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs. District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman assisted throughout the trial preparation process.

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March 3, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Donald Byron Joachim, 65, of Rosenberg, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child committed in Celina, Texas, from 2017 to 2020.

The Crime: Predator Exploited Family Trust to Abuse Child for Years

Joachim had ongoing access to the child through a relationship with the child’s family. Joachim sexually abused the victim over the course of many years, starting when the child was a toddler and ending when she was 13 years old. When the victim was 14 years old, she disclosed the abuse to her sister in-law. The abuse was then reported to the Comal County Sheriff’s Office.

Investigation Exposes Decades of Serial Grooming and Abuse of Multiple Victims

The child was interviewed at the Comal County Children’s Advocacy Center, where she provided details about the abuse. The abuse occurred not only in Celina, where the child’s family lived from 2017 to 2020, but also in Canyon Lake and Austin, Texas. After the outcry, Joachim confessed to several family members that he had abused the child.

During the investigation, multiple other children disclosed that Joachim had previously abused them. Joachim had abused these children in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, using his relationship with the children’s families to groom the children and gain access to them.

The Verdict and Sentence of Life without Parole

After hearing all the evidence, a Collin County jury found Joachim guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and sentenced Joachim to life in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the trial.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“For too long, this predator exploited trust within families to abuse multiple children across years and locations. Today’s life-without-parole sentence sends a clear message that Collin County will relentlessly pursue justice and safeguard our children,” said Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Pierce Richardson and Allison Barber prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.

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February 18, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Kevin Dixon, 28, of Princeton, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for seven counts of Injury to a Child Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Dixon, a previously convicted felon, repeatedly physically abused and starved his own six young children, some as young as two years old.

The Crime

In 2021, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) became aware that the defendant had failed to provide adequate living conditions for his six small children and warned him against excessive discipline. However, in February 2025, DFPS contacted the family again and discovered that five children—all under ten years old, and as young as two—had numerous marks, permanent scars across their bodies, and appeared severely malnourished, weighing far less than normal for their ages.

The Investigation

Upon observing the children’s condition, Princeton Police Department officers launched an investigation. The children were forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where each detailed the physical abuse and severe neglect. They described Dixon depriving them of food and repeatedly striking them with belts and cords—including beating one child for taking a candy bar. Princeton Detective Carolyn Crawford documented the extensive marks and permanent scars on each child, including the youngest, who was only two years old.

The Verdict and Sentence

Dixon pled guilty to seven counts of Injury to a Child Causing Serious Bodily Injury. During the punishment hearing, District Judge Kim Laseter heard evidence of Dixon’s prior 2015 robbery conviction, for which he served prison time. Due to his prior felony, he faced 15 to 99 years or life per count. The court sentenced him to life in prison on each of the five counts alleging physical abuse, and 25 years on the two counts alleging malnourishment. This life sentence ensures Dixon will never again be able to harm his children or any others.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This father brutally beat and starved his own young children—some toddlers—leaving permanent scars and lasting trauma. A tough sentence like life in prison is what it takes to protect vulnerable kids and ensure those who inflict such harm face full accountability. My office will always stand up for children who can’t defend themselves,” said Willis following the sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jean-Marie Anderson and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers.

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February 11, 2026

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Anthony Dewayne Taylor, 46, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for Sexual Performance of a Child. Taylor, a career criminal and confirmed gang member, sexually abused a child across multiple states and multiple cities in Texas.

The Crime

After being paroled on a drug trafficking charge from Oklahoma in 2020, Taylor reconnected with the victim’s family and gained access to the child. Taylor began abusing the child when she was just 14 years old and continued until she was 16 years old. This abuse occurred in multiple states and multiple cities across Texas.

In October 2022, Taylor was arrested for Murder in Oklahoma City and was held there in jail awaiting trial. Taylor ultimately pled guilty to murder in December 2024 and was sentenced to 10 years in prison (followed by 20 years parole). While awaiting trial, Taylor made numerous calls to the child from jail using a recorded line. Taylor directed the child to engage in lewd acts while the child was living in Collin County, leading to the sexual performance charges.

The Investigation

In December 2022, the child bravely out-cried to her family about the ongoing abuse, and her family reported the abuse to the Frisco Police Department. The child was interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center, where she provided details about the abuse and calls. Frisco Detective Kim Pruitt secured evidence at Taylor’s house consistent with the child’s description of abuse. Detective Pruitt also coordinated with the Oklahoma City Police Department to obtain the recorded jail calls.

The Verdict and Sentence

After hearing the evidence, a Collin County jury found Taylor guilty of Sexual Performance of a Child. During the punishment phase of trial, the jurors heard testimony about Taylor’s criminal history going all the way back to 1999, including the details of Taylor’s murder conviction. Due to his prior felony conviction, Taylor faced a punishment range of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The jury sentenced Taylor to life in prison and assessed a $10,000 fine. Judge Richard Davis presided.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This convicted murderer continued to prey on a child even from behind bars. A Collin County jury saw the full picture and delivered the only sentence that protects the public and our children – life in prison,” said Willis following the verdict.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Anthony D’Amore and Claire Mosley prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore.

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January 21, 2026

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Nicholas Carney, 65, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, was found guilty by a Collin County jury of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced to life in prison for the August 1991 kidnapping and sexual assault of an eight-year-old child in Plano, Texas.

The Crime

On August 15, 1991, an eight-year-old child was kidnapped by a stranger in Plano while walking with a friend to a community pool. Over the course of several hours, the child was sexually assaulted before being released approximately 20 miles from her home.

When the child was located, detectives and medical personnel collected DNA evidence. The child’s friend worked with Plano Police Detective Larry Wilson to create a composite sketch of the perpetrator. Despite extensive efforts by multiple law-enforcement agencies, no suspect was identified at the time and the case went cold.

DNA evidence was later submitted to the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Science (SWIFS) in Dallas. In 2004, SWIFS developed a DNA profile of the perpetrator, which was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Although no suspect was identified, the profile was linked to an unsolved sexual assault case in Dallas.

Investigators determined that on March 25, 1999, a nine-year-old child was kidnapped in Dallas while walking home from school with a friend. That child was sexually assaulted over several hours before being released approximately 40 miles away. DNA evidence was collected, and the child’s friend assisted ATF Agent Sharon Whittaker in creating a composite sketch. That case also remained unsolved.

The Investigation

In 2023, Plano Police Detective Aaron Benzick, Dallas Police Detective Elizabeth DeAngelis, and Texas Ranger Jason Shea reopened the cases and submitted the DNA evidence for forensic investigative genetic genealogy analysis.

Investigators learned that Nicholas Carney lived in the Dallas area at the time of both offenses, drove vehicles consistent with the descriptions provided by the victims, and possessed driver’s license photographs consistent with the composite sketches. Working with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, detectives obtained a DNA sample from Carney.

Testing confirmed that Carney’s DNA matched the perpetrator’s DNA in both the 1991 Plano case and the 1999 Dallas case. Carney was arrested and charged with multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child.

Further investigation revealed that in 1980, while working as an ice-cream truck driver in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Carney was convicted of exposing himself to a six-year-old child and attempting to lure the child into his vehicle.

The Verdict and Sentence

After hearing the evidence, a Collin County jury found Carney guilty of aggravated sexual assault of a child and sentenced him to life in prison. The jury also assessed a $34 fine – one dollar for each year the crime went unsolved. Judge Richard Davis presided.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“My office is here to protect children and remove dangerous predators from our communities. We will pursue these offenders as long as it takes so families can live in peace and children can grow up safe,” said Willis following the verdict.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashleigh Woodall and Ann Mathew prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller.

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December 18, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Kerrico Carr, 44, of McKinney, was sentenced to Life in Prison without the Possibility of Parole after a Collin County jury found him guilty of a 2017 Capital Murder in Frisco.

The Crime

On June 30, 2017 at 10:46am, Frisco police responded to a neighborhood after receiving reports of a gunshot and a masked man armed with a firearm. Upon arrival, officers located the victim in a nearby yard with a fatal gunshot wound to the back.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing two men arrive in a grayish-brown van. The driver was described as a shorter, heavyset man, while the passenger was taller and wearing a ski mask. Witnesses stated the driver approached the victim’s car parked outside his house. When the victim saw the men, he took off running between houses. The masked passenger chased after him and fired a single shot, striking the victim in the back. Both suspects then fled the scene in the van.

The Investigation

On the day of the murder, investigators spoke with members of the victim’s family, who stated the victim owed money to Carr and had been receiving threatening messages from him. After showing a photo lineup to the victim’s girlfriend, a man was initially arrested. Subsequent investigation revealed this man was nowhere near the crime scene, and he was later released. The case went cold after that.

In 2023, the case was assigned to Frisco Police Detectives Kyle Marks and Sanja Trtanj for a fresh look. Their new investigation identified a suspect who was present at the time of the murder. This suspect confirmed he was with Kerrico Carr on the day of the shooting and that Carr fired the fatal shot. Detectives then obtained an arrest warrant for Carr, who was arrested after being released from a Federal Correctional Facility in Arkansas, where he had been serving time for a federal criminal conviction for the offense of Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft.

Trial and Sentence

During the trial, prosecutors presented a recorded jail call in which Carr admitted he was present at the scene of the murder and stated he had gone there to collect money the victim owed him. A co-defendant also testified against Carr, and his testimony was corroborated by the eyewitnesses and cell phone location data. The jury found Carr guilty of Capital Murder. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the trial and pronounced the mandatory sentence.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“Violent criminals should know that there is no statute of limitations for murder, and police and prosecutors never forget. This conviction brings delayed justice to a grieving family and ensures a violent murderer will never be free to walk our streets again,” said DA Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team: Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Nick Lawrance and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Michael Coleman and Laurie Gibbs and with legal support from Amy Murphy and John Rolater and victim support from Valerie Miller.

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December 2, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Brent Lane Allen, 55, of Dallas, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for Online Solicitation of a Minor and the maximum 10 years in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance, after a Collin County jury found him guilty.

Crime

On April 10, 2024, a multi-agency regional task force conducted an undercover operation to identify online sexual predators. Allen responded to a Craigslist ad posted by an undercover Texas DPS Special Agent featuring what appeared to be an underage girl and a phone number.

Allen quickly asked the “girl’s” age, learned she was supposedly 14, and continued – sending explicit text messages, describing planned sexual acts, and arranging a meeting that night. He drove 40 minutes from Dallas to a Collin County park, where he arrived at 9:30 p.m. and was arrested. He had 2.5 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded firearm.

A search of Allen’s phone revealed the Craigslist photo, the explicit messages, and numerous additional texts about narcotics, firearms trafficking, and solicitation of prostitution.

Trial and Sentence

After a three-day trial, the jury convicted Allen of Online Solicitation of a Minor and Possession of a Controlled Substance. Prosecutors also proved four prior felony drug convictions in Dallas County. Judge Jennifer Edgeworth sentenced Allen to 20 years and 10 years, the statutory maximums, to run concurrently. By law, Allen must now register as a sex offender for life.

Statement from DA Willis

“When any man, much less a convicted felon, seeks out a 14-year-old for sex and drives here to do it, that person is a danger to every child in our community. My office will keep locking up predators like this because protecting our kids is non-negotiable,” stated Willis.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys John Evans and Baileigh Hale prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Stephanie Strickland and Jennifer Gomez and Legal Secretary Lisa McCurdy.

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November 6, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Robert Bevers, 40, of Frisco, was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison for stalking a Collin County woman in 2024. The sentence followed evidence showing that Bevers had also targeted four other women dating back as far as 2016.

The Crime

In 2022, a 27-year-old Frisco woman began finding unsolicited gifts left on her porch by Bevers—a man she had never met. Her family installed surveillance cameras that captured Bevers’s car repeatedly circling the home. The victim obtained a civil protective order, which Bevers appealed. After that order was set aside, he resumed contacting her in 2024—sending messages over social media and email that became increasingly sexual and racist. She reported the conduct to Frisco Police, which opened a felony stalking investigation.

The Investigation and Arrest

Detective Brenna Bearden led the investigation, securing search warrants for cell-phone, social-media, and location data. Records showed Bevers first tried to contact the victim as early as 2016—initially under his own name, later through fake accounts. After an extensive investigation, Detective Bearden obtained an arrest warrant, and U.S. Marshals Task Force agents arrested Bevers on April 29, 2024.

The Trial

Trial began on October 28, 2025. A Collin County jury quickly found Bevers guilty of stalking, a third-degree felony that carries up to 10 years in prison. Because prosecutors alleged a prior-conviction enhancement, the punishment range increased to a maximum of 20 years.

During a two-day punishment hearing before State District Judge Kim Laseter, prosecutors proved that Bevers was a serial stalker who had harassed four other women. The women described eerily similar experiences: two former college classmates, the younger sister of a high-school teammate, and a Dallas criminal defense attorney—none of whom had ever met Bevers. One victim asked for the maximum sentence so the group could finally have “a moment of peace.”

The court also heard that, as a juvenile, Bevers was committed to the Texas Youth Commission and, as an adult, served a five-year prison term for aggravated assault against his grandmother. Judge Laseter sentenced Bevers to the maximum 20 years in prison and imposed a $10,000 fine.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“Serial stalkers like this destroy their victims’ peace of mind,” said Willis. “My office exists to protect the people of Collin County, and that protection includes making sure those who prey on women face the full weight of the law.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Dewey Mitchell and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman and Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore.

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October 14, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that David R. Sanchez, 66, of Princeton, Texas, has been sentenced to life in prison for two counts of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact.

Predator Abuses Child after Prison Release

In September 2024, a neighbor became concerned after often seeing Sanchez near an 11-year-old child at a nearby bus stop. Sanchez gave the child candy, money, and toys and told her not to tell anyone about what he was doing. Despite those instructions, the child courageously told her mother that Sanchez had been sexually abusing her.

Sanchez was a registered sex offender, having been convicted in McLennan County in 2008 of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. He was sentenced to eight years in prison in that case and moved to Princeton after his release in 2013.

Investigation

Detective Maria Scott of the Princeton Police Department led the investigation, and the child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. The child provided a detailed account of the abuse, and Sanchez was arrested for Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact.

Verdict and Sentence

The jury found Sanchez guilty of two counts of Indecency with a Child by Sexual Contact. In addition to the 2008 conviction, jurors heard evidence that Sanchez had been convicted of Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter in 1986 and had two pending Stalking charges involving children in Milam County. The jury assessed punishment at life in prison. Judge Rayburn Nall presided over the trial.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“It’s unacceptable that someone who has already served time for sexually abusing a child chose to do it again. Because of this brave young victim and the tireless work of Princeton Police and our prosecution team, this predator will never again be free to harm another child, and our community is safer for it,” stated Willis.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Wendy Correa and Alex Haynes prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Jennifer Gomez, Victim Assistance Coordinator Jill Moore, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur.

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October 2, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Jacob Thomas Allred, 34, of Blue Ridge, pled guilty to one charge of Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student and two charges of Sexual Performance of a Child. He was sentenced to the maximum 20 years in prison on each charge.

Male Teacher Exploited Female Student Through Inappropriate Messages

Allred was a teacher at Great Lakes Academy, a private school in Plano. He began a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old female student that largely consisted of explicit and inappropriate messages sent through the Discord messaging app. Allred also directed the child to engage in lewd acts, leading to the sexual performance charges.

During the investigation, another former female student disclosed that while she was still in school, she also received inappropriate messages from Allred.

 Maximum Sentence Imposed

Prosecutors showed that Allred had previously been disciplined by the school for being alone with a female student in a classroom — a violation of school policy that foreshadowed his later crimes.

Judge Angela Tucker sentenced Allred to 20 years in prison on each charge. Because of this conviction, Allred will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.

DA Statement

“Teachers hold a position of special trust,” said Willis. “When that trust is betrayed in such an appalling way — a male teacher preying on a 15-year-old girl — the law must respond firmly. This maximum sentence protects children and delivers the justice these victims deserve.” 

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Abbie Adkins and Nicole Minwell prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman, Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware. The investigation was also supported by the full cooperation of Great Lakes Academy administrators.

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September 30, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Jhirrell Harris, 44, of Monroe, Louisiana, was found guilty of Capital Murder by a Collin County jury and sentenced to Life without the possibility of parole for committing the November 2023 crime at a Walmart in Frisco, Texas.

The Crime

On the night of November 15, 2023, at around 9:30pm, the Frisco Police Department responded to the Walmart at 8555 Preston Road. Officers found Dung Doan, 62, and Army veteran Zachary Lowe, 22, both shot outside the store. Doan’s wounds proved fatal, while Lowe — a Walmart employee on break — survived. Doan had recently come to the United States with his family as legal immigrants, building a new life together, and was a customer that day.

 The Investigation

Frisco PD Detectives Kyle Marks and Sanja Trtanj determined that Harris and an accomplice acted together in the robbery-turned-murder. Through interviews, forensic testing, and cellular mapping, investigators tied Harris and his accomplice to the crime. An anonymous tip to Frisco PD’s 411Tip line also aided the case.

Cellular records and social media showed that the accomplice had brought Harris from Monroe, Louisiana, to a Collin County residence one week before the crime. Those same records placed the accomplice’s phone near the Walmart at the time of the shootings. Harris and the accomplice fled back to Monroe the next day, where Harris was later found to have fired the Frisco murder weapon 24 days after the killing.

The Trial

After a three-day trial, a Collin County jury found Harris guilty of Capital Murder. Judge Benjamin Smith imposed the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, as required under Texas law.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“Harris was a menace whose cold-blooded violence stole the life of an innocent man and left a young Army veteran wounded outside a neighborhood Walmart. Collin County and beyond are safer tonight with him locked up for good,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Dewey Mitchell and Christina Skipper prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs and Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White.

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September 16, 2025

Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that Hugo Bellamy, 32, of McKinney, has been sentenced to life in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old child.

Predator Abuses Child Just Months After Prison Release

Bellamy, a repeat offender and gang member, abused the child just months after being released from prison for Aggravated Robbery. The crime came to light when the child bravely outcried to her mother.

Investigation and Evidence

McKinney Police Detective Dane Billington led the investigation. The child was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and provided a detailed account of the abuse.

Guilty Verdict and Life Sentence

A Collin County jury found Bellamy guilty of two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Indecency with a Child by Contact.

At punishment, the State presented evidence that Bellamy has served prison sentences twice before for his violent past, including convictions for Robbery, Aggravated Robbery, and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Arlington Police Detective Frank King testified that Bellamy was a documented member of a violent criminal street gang.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth sentenced Bellamy to life in prison.

Quote from DA Willis

“Protecting children is the highest duty of my office. This life sentence ensures that a violent gang member who preyed on a child will never be free to harm another innocent victim,” said Willis.

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Nicole Minwell and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman and Greg Bowers, Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

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August 26, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Christopher Clark Owen, 54, of Plano, Texas, was found guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and sentenced by a jury to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Victim Discloses Years of Abuse

When the victim was 7 years old, the child told its mother that Owen had been sexually abusing the child for several years. Owen, who was known to the family, had access to the victim. The mother reported the abuse to the Plano Police Department, and the child was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County for a forensic interview. There, the child provided details of the abuse. In an interview with Plano Detectives Kristina McClain and Jeff Rich, Owen confessed to sexually abusing the child starting when the child was only one year old and continuing until age six.

Other Victims Revealed in Punishment Phase

During the punishment phase of trial, jurors heard that Owen had also sexually abused two other children. This evidence confirmed that Owen was a serial predator, not a one-time offender. Jurors also learned that Owen had been previously convicted in 2010 in Johnson County, Texas, of attempting to take a weapon from a police officer.

After hearing all the evidence, the jury sentenced Owen to life in prison without the possibility of parole. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Statement from DA Greg Willis

“This serial predator stole the innocence of multiple children. Because of their bravery and law enforcement’s tireless work, the jury ensured he will spend the rest of his life in prison with no chance of parole.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Abbie Adkins and Anthony D’Amore prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

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August 19, 2025

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Robert Lee Timmons Jr., 34, was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the savage beating and strangulation murder of his mother, Rene Timmons.

Brutal Murder Discovered After Welfare Check
On May 16, 2024, Plano Police responded to a welfare call from a co-worker after Rene failed to show up for work. Officers found her in her home, wrapped in a blanket, with obvious signs of having been viciously beaten and no signs of life.

At the same time just a short distance away, Richardson Police were investigating a report of a man unlawfully entering an apartment. That man—identified as Timmons—told officers, “I just killed my mother.” Richardson officers immediately notified Plano Police, who confirmed they were with Rene’s body. Timmons was taken into custody on the spot.

Confession Shows No Remorse
Plano Detective Bryan Patten interviewed Timmons within hours of the murder. Timmons admitted that after getting angry, he attacked his mother with a metal pipe and a piece of wood, then strangled her. He told Detective Patten, “I know I am an evil person and it looks like I don’t regret what I did, but I’m too high to cry.” Timmons also admitted to regularly smoking methamphetamine.

Detectives learned that the day before the murder, Timmons had falsely accused his mother of assaulting him. He later admitted he fabricated the allegation and inflicted his own injuries—visible in his booking photo—so he could claim self-defense. At the time, Timmons was living with his mother, who had told others she wanted him to move out because of his violence, drug use, erratic behavior, and refusal to find work. Timmons had prior assaultive arrests, including Assault Family Violence Impeding Breath against his sister in Dallas County and Assault Bodily Injury against a male roommate in Collin County. He was prosecuted in both cases.

Statement from DA Greg Willis
“This was a horrific act of violence against the very person who gave him life. This case is also a grim reminder of how meth can fuel violence and destroy families. I’m grateful to our prosecutors and to the Plano and Richardson police for holding this dangerous man accountable and protecting our community from him ever again.”

Prosecution Team
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ann Mathew and Jamin Daly prosecuted the case, with investigative assistance from District Attorney Investigator Jennifer Gomez.

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August 12, 2025

DA Greg Willis Announces 50-Year, No-Parole Sentence for Child Predator

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced today that 58-year-old Victor Cornejo of Plano has been sentenced to 50 years in prison with no possibility of parole for the Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child.

Abuse Spanned Months

Cornejo, who was known to the 13-year-old victim, repeatedly abused the child over several months between 2022 and 2023. The abuse came to light in 2023 when the child out-cried to a therapist, triggering a Plano Police Department investigation.

Investigation and Evidence

Detective Chris Jones led the investigation. During a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, the child gave a detailed account of the repeated abuse.

Verdict and Sentence

Judge Kim Laseter found Cornejo guilty and imposed the 50-year sentence. Under Texas law, Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child carries a mandatory sentence without eligibility for parole.

DA Willis Statement

“This sentence ensures that this predator will spend the rest of his life behind bars—exactly where he belongs. He robbed a child of safety and trust, and justice demands that he never have the chance to harm another.”

Prosecution Team

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Nicole Minwell and Abbie Adkins prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Stephanie Strickland, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur.

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