May 11, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – Kenneth Amyx, 46, of Garland, was found guilty of Murder and sentenced to life in prison, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On May 29, 2016, a female victim known to Amyx was found dead in her apartment in Plano, Texas.  Plano Police received multiple welfare concern calls after photos showing the victim bleeding on her floor were sent to family members and posted to Facebook.  Upon making entry into the apartment, Plano officers found Amyx lying on top of the victim in the master bedroom.  She died at the scene from multiple lacerations to her body. Amyx was treated for superficial wounds.  During an interview, Amyx confessed to causing the victim’s fatal injuries and posting the photos on Facebook as part of a claimed suicide pact.

But the evidence did not support Amyx’s claim that the victim had agreed to a suicide pact. Judge Scott Becker found Amyx guilty of murder. During punishment, the judge heard that Amyx was wanted in Rockwall County for continuous sexual abuse of a female child relative at the time of the murder.  Amyx testified that he did not regret killing the victim and also admitted to multiple acts of sexual abuse of the child.  The judge assessed a life sentence.

The case was investigated by Plano Police Department, including Detectives Paul Martinez, Jonathan Hay, and Aaron Benzick.  Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Doug Millican and Calli Bailey prosecuted the case, aided by DA Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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May 8, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – Hilario Santiago, 46, of McKinney, was sentenced to 45 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Jury trial testimony showed that Santiago lived in the child’s home as a family roommate and had ongoing access to the child.  He sexually abused the victim for many years, beginning when the child was 6 years of age.  Santiago would pull the child into his bedroom, instruct her to pull down her pants, and abuse the child. After each incident of abuse, Santiago would threaten to kill the child’s loved ones if she told anyone about what happened.  The child eventually told her parents that Santiago had “tried” to touch her and her parents kicked Santiago out of the house.  Over a year later, the child told her brother and her aunt that Santiago had done “bad things” to her and the child’s parents called the police.

McKinney Police Department Officer Bruno Sequeira was the first responder and Detective Jennifer Grounds investigated the case.  The victim was forensically interviewed by Eli Molina with the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. During the forensic interview, the child gave a detailed account of the abuse.

The jury returned a guilty verdict and Judge Richard Davis assessed punishment at 45 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Geeta Singletary and Ashley Keil prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Kim Eanes and Stephanie Strickland and District Attorney Victim Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.

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May 5, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – Jody Alan Howland, 53, of Mount Clemens, Michigan, was sentenced to life in prison by a jury for the sexual assault of a Plano woman, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Sexual predators should never get away with their crimes, and this case proves law enforcement never forgets.”

During the early morning hours of December 12, 2003, an unknown man attacked and sexually assaulted a Plano woman in her apartment after she returned from taking trash to the apartment dumpster.  The woman called 911 and reported the assault.  Plano Police responded and transported the woman to a local hospital, where a sexual assault nurse examiner collected evidence for a sexual assault kit. Police then submitted the sexual assault kit to the Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory for DNA testing.  The forensic scientists detected and developed a DNA profile for a male suspect. However, when the profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), no suspect emerged.  Plano detectives continued to develop leads to solve the case.

In 2015, Howland was convicted of a drug offense in the State of Michigan.  Though he received probation for the offense, he was required by Michigan law to submit a DNA sample.  When the sample was entered into CODIS, Howland’s profile matched the unknown DNA profile for this offense as well as two other sexual assaults, one that occurred in Dallas, Texas, in 2004 and the other in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2001.  After confirming the CODIS hit by comparing Howland’s actual DNA to the unknown DNA profile for the Plano sexual assault, detectives also determined that Howland lived in Wylie, Texas during 2003.  His address was only five miles away from the victim’s apartment where the Plano sexual assault occurred.

A Collin County jury returned a guilty verdict on two counts of sexual assault.  During sentencing, the jury learned that Howland had several prior felony convictions, which enhanced the punishment range to 25-99 years or life for each count. The jury assessed a life sentence for each count. District Judge Scott Becker presided over the trial.

The case was investigated by Plano Police Detectives Beth Chaney and Brian Pfahning.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cynthia Walker and Bobby Huber.  They were aided by District Attorney Investigator Jared Clark.

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April 24, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – Temmie Cooley, 51, of Dallas, was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 80 years for Murder, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.  “While this verdict doesn’t bring their loved one back, justice has finally been served after 27 years,” added Willis.

On November 25, 1989, the body of the female victim was found dumped in a ditch along County Road 140 in Plano, Texas.  She was found nude from the waist down, partially covered with a red sweater.  The cause of death was determined to be ligature strangulation.  Plano Police Department investigated the case in 1989 and interviewed several family members, friends, and co-workers of the victim, including Cooley.  Cooley and the victim worked together at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas.  Through witness interviews, Plano Police Detective Tom Gramm learned that the victim and Cooley may have been involved in a romantic relationship.  Cooley denied this at the time and no arrest was made in 1989.  The case was re-opened in 2003, but still no arrest was made until 2014, when detectives obtained a DNA sample from Cooley which matched sperm collected in a sexual assault kit from the victim back in 1989.  Over the course of 25 years, Cooley was interviewed several times.  In each of his interviews, he denied any kind of sexual relationship with the victim until confronted with the DNA match.  Cooley ultimately admitted to the sexual relationship, but provided inconsistent statements as to his whereabouts the night of the murder and the last time he saw her.  Cooley never confessed to the murder, but he also never denied killing the victim over the 25-year investigation.

The jury heard facts regarding a subsequent murder committed by Cooley.  In 2001, Cooley confessed to strangling a Kaufman County woman with a purse strap.  Cooley had been having an affair with the woman at the time of the murder.  There were several similarities between the 2001 murder and the murder of the victim.  Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the case and assessed the sentence.

The case was investigated by Plano Police Department, including Detectives Tom Gramm in 1989, Billy Meeks in 2003, and Beth Spillman in 2014.  Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Wes Wynne and Calli Bailey prosecuted the case, aided by DA Investigator Mike Smith.

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April 19, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample.  If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge.  On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant.  The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community.  It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood.  Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that April 21-23 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

April 3, 2017

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Adam Milligan, 37, of Frisco was sentenced by a jury to 40 years in prison for Aggravated Sexual Assault, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.  “What this man did was absolutely horrific.  But this victim’s courage and the jury’s verdict ensure he won’t terrorize any more women” added Willis.

Frisco police responded to the victim’s residence shortly after 3:00 am on August 8, 2015.  Milligan, who knew the victim, entered the victim’s home hours earlier when she was not home and without her consent. Once she returned home, Milligan restrained her hands and feet and then sexually assaulted her for over an hour. The assault ended when Milligan placed a pillow over her face and attempted to suffocate and strangle the victim with his hands.  The victim told police that Milligan had turned on a video camera during the assault.  Police were later able to locate and preserve the recording for trial.

Frisco Detective Daniel Bardwell led a strong investigation, during which time and afterwards Frisco Victim Advocate Haleh Cochran provided support to the victim.  Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and Sexual Assault Response Team Program Manager for The Turning Point Rape Crisis Center, Robyn Bowles, testified about the Sexual Assault Nurse Examination she completed just hours after the assault.  Judge Angela Tucker presided over the case.

The jury heard evidence during the punishment phase of trial of prior bad acts which had not resulted in convictions, including another sexual assault and attempted sexual assaults of two other women.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kim Laseter and Holly Griffin, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Robin Laughon, Jon Hooper, and Kim Voigt-Eanes.  District Attorney Victim Assistance Coordinator Jenni Ball and Collin County District Attorney Therapy Dog, Winston, provided support for the victim during the trial.

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March 15, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample.  If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge.  On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant.  The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community.  It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood. Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that March 17 – 20 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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March 1, 2017

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Mohammad Ali, 46, of Plano was sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty to seven counts of indecency with a child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.  “This perpetrator preyed upon young teenaged girls who trusted him to do his job right.  In the end, it was the courage of these very girls that helped us catch him and hold him accountable.  He won’t be preying on any more children.”

Ali was employed as a phlebotomist at Children’s Medical Center of Plano.  The initial victim came forward in December 2015 after Ali inappropriately touched her over her clothing while she was having her blood drawn by Ali in the laboratory.  After the first report, five additional victims reported offenses that occurred between August and December of 2015.  Each victim reported similar inappropriate touching by Ali over their clothes during blood draws.  The victims were between 12 and 15 years of age at the time of the incidents. Plano Police Detective Chris Jones investigated each case.

Ali pled guilty in exchange for the 19 year sentence on Friday.  The maximum sentence for this second degree felony is 20 years.  Some of the victims and their families were present for the plea.  The victims who were present for the plea gave statements about how Ali’s abuse impacted them.  Judge Richard Davis presided over the case and sentenced Ali.

Ali began working at the CMC lab in March of 2015.  Ali was initially placed on administrative leave from the hospital but was ultimately terminated prior to being arrested for three counts of indecency with a child in January of 2016.  Children’s Medical Center cooperated with the Plano Police Department throughout the criminal investigation.

Assistant District Attorney Sarah Preston prosecuted the cases, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Ryan Harvey and Greg Bowers, as well as District Attorney Victim Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.

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February 21, 2017

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Matthew Allen, 32, of Princeton was sentenced to 35 years in prison without parole for continuous sexual abuse of a child and indecency with a child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Allen began molesting a child known to him from the time she was she was 9 years old until she was 14 years old.  The child’s father found out about the abuse, and contacted Child Protective Services, who began the investigation.  The case was also simultaneously investigated by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office.  CPS Investigator Kalyn Rosser set up a forensic interview, where the victim described the progression of sexual abuse.  The abuse began in Texas, continued in another state, and concluded back in Texas.

On Thursday, the jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of continuous sexual abuse of a child and two counts of indecency with a child.  Allen will serve 35 years in the Texas Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole.  Judge Ray Wheless presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Shannon Miller and Peter Ganyard prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers, Oscar Perez, and Matt Mayes, as well as District Attorney Victim Assistance Coordinator Susanne Riggs.

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February 21, 2017

(McKINNEY, Texas) – Ali L. Ghanbari, 24, of Plano, who was extradited from Mexico to stand trial in Texas, was sentenced to 27 years for Aggravated Robbery, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On November 21, 2012, Ghanbari recruited two other individuals to commit a robbery at an apartment complex near Custer and 15th Street in Plano, Texas. The intended victim had previously purchased marijuana from Ghanbari on four occasions, but no longer wanted Ghanbari’s business.  Ghanbari planned the robbery in retaliation and supplied the firearms used in the offense.

The first suspect that entered the apartment was shot and killed by a civilian in self-defense. Ghanbari fled the scene but left his cell phone in the deceased’s car, which was later turned over to Plano Police and the assigned Detectives Daniel Caballero and Brian Pfahning.  During their investigation, those same detectives uncovered text messages planning the crime between Ghanbari and the deceased.  Ghanbari was arrested in January 2013 for his role in the offense but got out of jail 21 days later after posting a $150,000 bond.

In October 2013, Ghanbari was required to appear for a court hearing due to a subsequent arrest for possession of marijuana, a violation of his bond.  Ghanbari left the courthouse before the hearing began and fled to Mexico to avoid prosecution.  In November 2015, he was extradited back to Texas with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Jared Clark.

On Friday, the jury convicted Ghanbari of Aggravated Robbery with a Deadly Weapon and sentenced Ghanbari to 27 years in prison. Judge Angela Tucker presided over the case.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Calli Bailey and Doug Millican prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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February 15, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample. If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge. On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant. The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community. It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood. Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose. The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity. But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that February 17-19 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

February 10, 2017

McKinney, Texas – Johnta Silverburg, 31, of Plano, Texas, received 40 years in prison for Continuous Trafficking of Persons, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

“Silverburg targeted and exploited a vulnerable woman for his own financial gain.  Sex trafficking won’t be tolerated in Collin County, and my office will continue to work closely with law enforcement to arrest and prosecute these predators,” said Willis.  Silverburg met his victim online in 2011 and forced her to work for him as a prostitute.  Up to his arrest in 2015, he acted as her pimp and subjected her to threats and multiple assaults.  The victim testified that she was only allowed to leave home to work as a prostitute and had limited access to money.

A search of the house where the victim and Silverburg lived revealed that Silverburg maintained control of the victim’s driver’s license and social security card, as well as thousands of dollars in cash.  Police were alerted when a second victim of Silverburg’s was found after a local shelter called about a 17 year old, with possible ties to human trafficking.  Texas Department of Public Safety agents Colby Langford and Clay Platt led the investigation which resulted in Silverburg’s conviction.

The jury convicted Silverburg of Continuous Trafficking of Persons and he was sentenced to 40 years in prison.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Thomas Ashworth and Ashley Briggs.  They were aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.  The case was investigated by agents with the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Human Trafficking Task Force based in Garland, Texas.  Judge David Waddill presided over the case.

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February 6, 2017

McKinney, Texas – James Otis Jones, 52, of McKinney, Texas, received a life in prison sentence on Tuesday January 17, for Murder, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On the morning of April 28, 2015, Jones and his ex-wife were at a Dollar General store to get food for lunch.  After his ex-wife returned to their car from inside the store, Jones pulled out a knife he had hidden in the car earlier, and began to stab his ex-wife.  When she grabbed the knife in defense, Jones grabbed another knife he had previously hidden and continued his violent assault.  His brutal attack lasted less than four minutes before his ex-wife was dead.  After murdering his ex-wife, surveillance video revealed Jones entered the Dollar General store, where he informed an employee that he had just killed his wife, and for the employee to call the police.  Once McKinney Police arrived on scene minutes later, Jones was taken into custody without issue.

Jones told McKinney Detective Paul Hardin and Texas Ranger Reuben Mankin that he had “been meaning to kill her” for months, and had hidden the knives in the car months before, in anticipation of murdering his ex-wife.  Testimony revealed there was a history of violence between Jones and his ex-wife, including multiple convictions for Jones violating a protective order his ex-wife had obtained.  The basis for the murder occurring on this date, according to Jones, was that his ex-wife had asked him to leave her apartment by the end of the week.  When Jones was unable to convince his ex-wife to change her mind, he decided that would be the date he killed her.

Jones pleaded guilty to the court, and a hearing was held to determine his sentence.  District Judge Benjamin Smith presided over the case and sentenced Jones to Life in prison, and a $10,000 fine after hearing about multiple prior prison sentences and other convictions, some of which involved the same victim he ultimately murdered.  When pronouncing Jones’ Life sentence, Judge Smith commented on the extreme brutality of this murder, along with Jones’ history of violence and criminal convictions as the basis of his decision.

Jones will be eligible for parole consideration in 30 years.  Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Abby Policastro and Lisa Milasky King prosecuted the case and were aided by District Attorney Investigators Kenny Newton and Mike Bennett.  The case was investigated by the many members of the McKinney Police Department, along with the Texas Rangers.

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January 18, 2017

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample.  If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge.  On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant.  The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community.  It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood. Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that January 20 – 22 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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December 15, 2016

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample. If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge. On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant. The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community. It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood. Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose. The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity. But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that December 16-18 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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December 13, 2016

(McKinney, Texas) – Larry Combest, 45, of McKinney, Texas, was recently sentenced to 60 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

From 2002 until approximately 2004, Combest molested a child in Wylie that was known to him.  The child was 11-14 years old at the time.  As an adult, the victim came forward in 2015 and discussed the abuse with a sibling after learning two young unrelated children disclosed recent abuse by Combest.

While investigating the allegations by the two young children, McKinney Police Detective Jason Pruett learned of the Wylie victim’s disclosure and forwarded the case to the Wylie Police Department for investigation.  Wylie Detective Helen Taylor spoke with the victim about specific details of the sexual abuse and investigated the case.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child by contact.  After hearing additional witnesses during the punishment phase, including the two young children, the jury sentenced Combest to 60 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault of a child and 20 years in prison for each count of indecency with a child.  The sentences will run concurrently.

Judge James Fry presided over the trial.  Assistant District Attorneys Sarah Preston and Lindsey Wynne prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Ryan Harvey.

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November 16, 2016

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this weekend will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample.  If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge.  On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant.  The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community.  It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood. Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that November 18-20 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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November 4, 2016

McKinney, Texas – Michael Kevin Adams, 53, of Frisco, was sentenced to Life in prison without the possibility for parole for the capital murder of his ex-fiance, Nicole Leger, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

In March 2013 in Frisco, Denton County, Adams abducted and sexually assaulted Leger and threatened to kill her.  Eventually he released her, and she reported his crimes to the Frisco Police Department.  Adams was arrested, but posted bond on the Denton County offenses.

Leger moved to Melissa in Collin County to hide out from Adams, renting a house in a friend’s name.  She also put the utilities in another’s name to avoid detection.  Adams, who worked for a vehicle repossession company, used a GPS tracking device to locate her new home and by phone threatened to kill her if she testified against him in the Denton County cases.  Adams’ work computer revealed searches for and routes to her home in Melissa.

On September 9, 2013, Adams entered Leger’s home and shot her twice in the head, killing her. Investigators from the Melissa Police Department, Collin County Sheriff’s Office, and Texas Rangers collected DNA, digital evidence from Adams’ work computer, and firearms comparison evidence.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for capital murder which carried an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole.  Judge Ray Wheless pronounced sentence drawing the two week trial to a close.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Paul Anfosso, Thomas Ashworth, and Ashleigh Woodall prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland and Keith Henslee.  Ranger Reuben Mankin and Melissa Police Captain Kyle Babcock were the chief investigators in the case.

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November 4, 2016

McKinney, Texas – Robert Arthur Moses, 63, of Frisco, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his ex-wife, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On January 14, 2015, friends reported that Anna Moses, a University of Texas at Dallas administrator and master’s student, had been missing since the evening before.  Frisco Police responded to her home for a welfare check and discovered Anna’s body in her garage.  She was lying on her back with mail strewn around her and her purse nearby.  It appeared that she arrived home after work and was shot multiple times, before entering her home, including three in her back, two in her chest, and one to her throat.  A seventh bullet grazed her and was found in her clothing. While it did not appear that anyone had tried to break into her home, police did determine that her car was missing.

As part of the investigation, Anna’s friends and co-workers were interviewed as well as Anna’s ex-husband, Robert Moses.  During the interview, Texas Ranger Reuben Mankin noticed a small cut on Robert’s Moses’ right hand.  Though he denied having anything to do with Anna’s murder, he did agree to give a DNA sample to police.

Hours after Anna’s body was discovered, Frisco officer William Lo located Anna’s car about a block and a half away from her house.  Officer Lo immediately noticed that the driver seat had what appeared to be a small blood stain on the right side.  Forensic scientists from the Texas Department of Public Safety crime lab processed the car locating an additional blood stain on the seat and a blood smear on the center console.  These blood samples were processed and through DNA analysis, Robert Moses could not be excluded as a contributor of the blood found in the car.  Friends and associates of Anna were ruled out as suspects based on the estimated time of death, toll road records, surveillance video and other evidence.

The jury found Robert Moses guilty of murder.  After additional evidence, the jury sentenced Moses to life in prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cynthia Walker, Lisa King and Bobby Huber.  They were aided by District Attorney Investigator Jared Clark.  The case was investigated by Detective Brian Tschudy from the Frisco Police Department and Texas Ranger Reuben Mankin.  Judge Scott Becker presided over the case.

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October 21, 2016

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” this weekend, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Those showing signs of driving while intoxicated will be asked to provide a breath or blood sample.  If they refuse, officers will seek a warrant from a judge.  On-call judges stand ready to determine probable cause for a warrant.  The driver’s blood will be drawn if the judge finds there is sufficient evidence of DWI.

The mission of the Collin County District Attorney’s office is to pursue justice and protect the community.  It works with law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the combination of effective prosecution and public awareness of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.

The officers do not draw the blood.  Rather, health care professionals are stationed at certain local jails for this purpose.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens and roadways safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that October 21-23 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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