December 4, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Daniel Christopher Rodriguez, 31, of Wylie, was sentenced to 35 years in prison without the possibility of parole for multiple sexual assaults of the same child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.  “Children are the most vulnerable victims in our society.  We have a duty not only to protect them but also to punish their predators,” added Willis.

Rodriguez abused the victim from the ages of 10 to 15.  The abuse escalated over time and the victim became suicidal.  Rodriguez frequently threatened the victim that if she ever told anyone about the abuse, he would hurt her and her family.  When the victim was 15, the victim’s grandmother took her to her pediatrician for depression.  The victim told her pediatrician that she had been sexually abused.  The grandmother later found the victim’s suicide note referencing Rodriguez’ sexual abuse.

Wylie Police Detective Helen Taylor investigated. A trained forensic interviewer at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County interviewed the victim.  Rodriguez pled guilty and was sentenced to 35 years in prison without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child, 20 years in prison for three counts of Sexual Assault of a Child, and 20 years in prison for three counts of Indecency with a Child.

Assistant District Attorney Geeta Singletary prosecuted the case.  She was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.

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November 13, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Derrick Mitchell, 35, of Plano, was sentenced to 35 years for Aggravated Sexual Assault, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

In August of 2014, Mitchell held a woman with whom he had a relationship and struck her with a flashlight multiple times before forcing her to have sex with him. Through tears, the victim pleaded with him to stop, but Mitchell threatened to kill her if she didn’t comply.

The following day, Mitchell began to send the woman threatening and harassing text messages, demanding that she see him.  The victim drove to the Plano Police Department and reported the incident to Officer J.W. Burns.  She then went to the hospital and was examined by a sexual assault nurse.  While at the hospital, Mitchell called the victim again and she confronted him about what he had done. Mitchell responded by stating “Maybe you’ll step up to the plate and be a woman and take care of [me] or I will continue to degrade you until I break you…I can make it way worse.”  Nurses at the hospital overheard these comments.

Mitchell was subsequently arrested by the Plano police, but even while in jail, he continued to attempt to contact the victim.  He sent letters demanding that she not show up for court and made threats if she did show.

Mitchell eventually pleaded guilty to the offense and requested that the judge decide his fate. Judge Webb Biard considered the evidence and heard testimony from the victim.  The judge then sentenced Mitchell to 35 years in prison.  Mitchell must serve at least one-half of that sentence before eligible for parole.

The case was investigated by Plano Detective James Phelan.  Assistant Criminal District Attorney Wes Wynne prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Robin Laughon.

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November 9, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – John Turner Gray, 21, of McKinney, was sentenced to 16 years for Aggravated Assault, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.  “The women of Collin County are safer now that Gray is in prison.  In less than two years, Gray committed seven assaults total on five different female victims.”

Gray’s victims included girlfriends, family members and an acquaintance. The seven assaults spanned from October 2013 to August 2015.  The aggravated assault victim, a friend of Gray’s then girlfriend, tried to protect the girlfriend from Gray.  Gray punched the victim in the face shattering her orbital socket.  Her injuries required reconstructive surgery to insert metal plates and screws to restructure a cheekbone, and nylon mesh to support her eye.

Two of Gray’s former girlfriend victims testified about the pattern and escalation of the abuse, which included being drug by their hair and punched.  Gray’s sister testified that when she tried to stop him from destroying her property, he struck her in the face, grabbed her by the hair, threw her to the ground, and repeatedly stomped on her before fleeing the scene.  Gray’s mother also testified that he threw a watch at her, which caused a gash above her lip and required stitches.

During punishment, evidence of another assault was provided through the testimony of a former girlfriend.  Evidence of two juvenile assault cases was also shown to the jury and admitted during punishment.  Along with the 16 years for aggravated assault, the jury also sentenced Gray to prison sentences of 7 years for continuous violence against the family, 5 years for a separate case of continuous violence against the family, and 180 days for criminal mischief.

The assaults were investigated by numerous officers of the McKinney and Frisco police departments.  Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Courtney Neel and Paul Anfosso prosecuted the cases, aided by District Attorney Investigator Keith Henslee.

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October 28, 2015

McKinney, Texas – The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program will be conducted in Collin County over this Halloween weekend, October 30 – November 1, 2015, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Why Have the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Program?
Halloween is a fun night to celebrate, but no celebration should ever end with the scary consequences of drunk driving.  When drivers fail to be responsible, a few celebratory glasses of alcohol can quickly turn a fun evening into a scary nightmare.  The program is an effort to get intoxicated drivers off the road, raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and most importantly, to save more lives and prevent injuries on our roadways.

How Does It Work in Practice?
Drivers who look to celebrate the Halloween season with a few drinks and subsequently 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.  A licensed healthcare professional will perform a sanitary blood draw if the judge finds probable cause.

Why is the District Attorney Involved?
The Collin County District Attorney’s mission is to pursue justice and protect the community.  In keeping with this mission, the DA’s office works to keep roadways safe through cooperation with local law enforcement and State agencies to deter the chilling and possibly life-altering effects of driving while intoxicated.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens safe by preventing DWI activity.  Beware that October 30 – November 1, 2015 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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October 15, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – David Fife, 56, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 75 years for Aggravated Robbery, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “It’s a great day for justice getting a violent, repeat offender off the street,” added Willis.

Evidence showed that on November 25th, 2014, Fife entered a Metro PCS store in Plano and robbed the two store clerks at gun point.  After entering the store, Fife walked towards the counter and lifted his shirt showing the two guns that he had in his waistband.  Fife then pulled one of the guns out, pointed it at the two victims and demanded they turn over all the money and the memory SD cards behind the counter.  The victims gave Fife $317 in cash, and 5 memory cards.

Before leaving, Fife threatened to return and kill the victims if they called the police.  Fife, a frequent customer of the Metro PCS store, attempted to disguise himself by covering up his face and head with a towel, hat, and sunglasses.

Once Fife left, one of the victims called 911 and said she recognized the voice of the man that had just robbed her.  After gathering more descriptors, Plano Police Detective Scott Epperson confirmed that Fife was in fact the robber that the victim had recognized.  The Plano Police Intelligence Unit conducted surveillance of Fife, and a search warrant was executed at the apartment in Dallas where Fife had been staying.  Police recovered one of the distinctive memory cards that were stolen in the robbery.

A jury convicted Fife of aggravated robbery. Judge Webb Baird assessed the 75 years punishment after hearing evidence that Fife had been previously convicted of several felonies including 4 prior aggravated robberies. Evidence also showed that while waiting for trial, Fife brutally assaulted another inmate in the Collin County Jail. Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Cindy Walker were the prosecutors, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Dale Dowdy.

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October 6, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Donavin Jennings, 23, of Wylie, received a sentence of 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole for continuous sexual abuse of a child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Jennings was 20 years old, claiming to be 15, when he met the 12 year old victim.  He began a dating relationship with her that became sexual after the victim turned 13.  When the victim turned 14 and began attending Wylie High School, Jennings would sometimes eat lunch with her and walk her to class.  Jennings would pass himself off as a 16 year old student, occasionally walking through the halls of Wylie High School with a backpack.  He would sometimes ride the school bus and hang out with high school students.

Wylie High School received a tip that Jennings was having an inappropriate relationship with the victim and an investigation commenced.  The victim was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County and was interviewed by trained forensic interviewer Eli Molina.  The victim disclosed that Jennings had been sexually abusing her and that she did not know his age.  Wylie Police Detective Helen Taylor, assigned to the Collin County Rural Child Abuse Task Force, led the investigation.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for continuous sexual abuse of a child, and Judge Keith Dean sentenced Jennings to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole.  Additionally, Jennings was sentenced to two years in prison for indecency with a child to run concurrently.

Assistant District Attorneys Shannon Miller and Geeta Singletary prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers.

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September 23, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Luis Rocha, of Plano, received 40 years in prison for assault family violence with a prior family violence conviction, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On March 29, 2014 Rocha and his girlfriend got in a car accident while Rocha was driving intoxicated.  Once they got home from the accident, Rocha’s girlfriend attempted to hide the car keys so that he would no longer be able to drive.  Rocha quickly became upset and began punching and kicking the victim in the head and body.  He also bit the victim multiple times on her back and head and smashed a coffee table over the victim as she lay on the ground.  The victim didn’t initially call the police out of fear of Rocha retaliating, but when the pain from the assault became too great to bear, she went to the hospital.  The hospital staff immediately recognized that she had been assaulted and contacted an officer in the facility who reported the assault to dispatch. The case was investigated by Plano Detective Steve Young.

The jury returned a guilty verdict on September 23, 2015 for assault family violence with a prior family violence conviction.  Rocha had been previously convicted of multiple felonies including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, theft, and injury to a child.  Rocha had been to prison on three separate occasions, and had abused other women in the past.  After the jury found him guilty, Rocha agreed to a 40 year sentence.

Prosecutors Wes Wynne and Brandon Wonnacott prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Smith.

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September 21, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Harlan Wayne Routon, 68, of Wylie, Texas, was sentenced to 32 years confinement without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

From 2008 until 2011, Routon molested a child at his Wylie home when the child would stay overnight. Routon committed the sexual acts against the child when he assumed the child was asleep.  The child would often wake up to the molestation or to noises made by Routon when he entered the room, but the child would pretend to be asleep.  The child outcried to the abuse in July 2013 and an investigation by the Collin County Sheriff’s Office Child Abuse Task Force ensued.

The jury returned a guilty verdict Friday for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child.  On Monday, the jury sentenced Routon to 32 years confinement without the possibility of parole.

Assistant District Attorneys Sarah Preston and Shannon Miller prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.  The case was investigated by former Collin County Sheriff Investigator Jim Blackburn.  Judge Richard Davis presided over the case.

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September 18, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Felipe DeJesus Blanco, 33, of Plano, was sentenced to 70 years in prison for aggravated sexual assault, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Blanco, who had prior misdemeanors for resisting arrest and assault, brutally strangled and zip-tied his victim before sexually assaulting her on April 29, 2014. After strangling the victim until she blacked out, Blanco tied her up and repeatedly abused her until she was broken and bleeding.  The victim arrived at Parkland hospital in the early morning hours of April 30, 2014 for treatment.  Doctors obtained evidence from the victim, which tied Blanco to the sexual assault through DNA. When Plano officers arrived at Blanco’s residence to search for evidence, they found him in his closed garage, with the car running, attempting to commit suicide.

Blanco told police that he bought multiple items for the victim.  He believed the victim owed him something for his gifts.  Blanco said the victim’s consent was, “half and half.”  The jury found Felipe Blanco guilty of aggravated sexual assault and assessed his sentence at 70 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Briggs and Chris Fredericks prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kim Pickrell.  The case was investigated by Plano Officer Patricia McClure and Detectives James Phelan and Chris Jones. Judge Angela Tucker presided.

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September 4, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program will be conducted in Collin County this weekend, September 4 – 7, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Why Have the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Program?
The program is an effort to get intoxicated drivers off the road, raise public awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, and most importantly, to save more lives and prevent injuries on our roadways.

How Does It Work in Practice?
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.  A licensed healthcare professional will perform a sanitary blood draw if the judge finds probable cause.

Why is the District Attorney Involved?
The Collin County District Attorney’s mission is to pursue justice and protect the community.  In keeping with this mission, the DA’s office works to keep roadways safe through cooperation with local law enforcement and State agencies to reduce the number of DWI offenses through the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” program.  The aim of this program is to keep citizens safe by preventing DWI activity.  But those who disregard the rights of others should be aware that September 4 – 7, 2015 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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August 6, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – William “Chad” Coleman, 41, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced to life in prison for Arson of a Habitation and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Frisco, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Coleman pled guilty to a dozen crimes at his trial.  Evidence showed that in March 2013, Coleman threatened his fiancé with a gun while chasing her in his vehicle.  When she fled to the Frisco Police Department, Coleman returned to her home and killed her Chihuahua with a wire coat hanger, injured her Mastiff by striking him in the head, and set her house on fire.  About a month prior to that, he threatened her with a shotgun, which he was prohibited from having since he was a convicted felon.

While on bond for the above charges, in February 2014, Coleman went on a crime spree through Plano, Carrollton, Frisco, Princeton, and McKinney.  Coleman stole a 2012 Toyota Camry from Plano and credit cards from residents of Carrollton to make fraudulent purchases.  Coleman stole a bright green 2014 Jeep Wrangler from a Frisco neighborhood.  He also broke into a house in the same neighborhood and painted the Jeep black.  The owner of the Jeep located Coleman by following his footprints in the snow and when he arrived at the burglarized house, Coleman set the Toyota Camry on fire and threatened the Jeep’s owner with a gun.  Coleman drove to Princeton where he displayed the gun to a patron at a gas station and then led police on a high speed chase on icy roads through Princeton and McKinney.  He eventually crashed the Jeep, fled the scene, and broke into a McKinney residence, where he was found hiding in the attic.

Coleman was previously convicted of felony Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon in Dallas County in 2005.  In that offense, Coleman attacked a former girlfriend with a hammer, striking her multiple times on the head and body in a public parking lot on Mockingbird Lane. He was sentenced to four years in prison. Coleman was a Dallas Fire Fighter at that time. Coleman has a tattoo of a hammer on his neck that he alleged is a reminder of this past incident.

In a guilty plea to the jury, Coleman plead guilty to all 12 offenses.  After hearing evidence in each of the cases as well as evidence of his prior prison trip, the jury sentenced Coleman to life in prison for Arson of a Habitation and Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon of his former girlfriend.  Multiple prison sentences were assessed by the jury for Animal Cruelty, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Auto Theft, Arson of a Vehicle, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, Burglary of a Habitation, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon of the Jeep owner, Evading Arrest with a Motor Vehicle, and Credit Card Abuse.  All sentences assessed by the jury will run concurrently.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Lindsey Wynne and Paul Anfosso prosecuted the cases and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Keith Henslee.  The cases were investigated by the Frisco Police Department, Frisco Fire Department, and the Princeton Police Department with assistance from Plano, Carrollton, and McKinney police departments, as some offenses began in those jurisdictions.  Judge Andy Chatham presided over the cases.

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July 31, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Danny Richard Minor, 40, of The Colony, Texas, was sentenced to life confinement without the possibility of parole for three counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child and life confinement for two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

From 2002 until 2009 when Minor lived in Plano, Texas, Minor molested two related children and an unrelated child.  One child disclosed the abuse in 2009, but conflicting statements prevented detectives from moving forward at that time.  Minor cut off ties with Plano and moved to The Colony where the abuse continued.  The case was reactivated in June 2014 when a second child came forward and provided corroborating information for the 2009 disclosure.  Two additional cases resulted from that disclosure.  Minor was arrested and a search warrant was obtained for his DNA.  A paternity test confirmed that Minor is the biological father of his daughter’s child.

The jury returned a guilty verdict Thursday for three counts of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child and two counts of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.  On Friday, the jury sentenced Minor to life confinement without the possibility of parole on each count of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Young Child and life confinement on each count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child.

Assistant District Attorneys Sarah Preston and Shannon Miller prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.  The case was investigated by Plano Police Department Detectives Chris Jones and Brian Pfahning.  Judge Chris Oldner presided over the case.

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July 3, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Fourth of July 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 July 3-6, 2015 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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June 19, 2015

(McKinney) – In order to comply with the highest ethical standards of prosecution, the Collin County District Attorney’s Office on June 17th, 2015, forwarded a previously-undisclosed interview of a witness to attorneys for Raul Cortez.  Cortez was convicted of capital murder in 2009 and sentenced to death by lethal injection by a Collin County jury for the murders of four people in McKinney, Texas, in 2004.  The interview was conducted by the McKinney Police Department of Eddie Williams, an accomplice to the crime who testified for the prosecution in the Cortez trial.  Williams’s testimony at trial was corroborated by both circumstantial and physical evidence.  Six other recorded interviews between Williams and the McKinney Police Department were provided to Cortez’s attorneys before his trial.  It is not believed that this additional interview of Williams contains any new information, but it is being provided to Cortez’s attorneys for them to take whatever action, if any, they find appropriate.

The existence of this interview was discovered when the McKinney Police Department alerted the DA’s office that prosecutors may never have had the interview in their file.  An investigative supplement from McKinney PD documenting the facts surrounding the discovery of the interview is also being provided to Cortez’s attorneys.  After an extensive internal review, prosecutors cannot verify that the interview was ever provided to the defense.

Raul Cortez was tried in the 416th District Court, the Honorable Judge Webb Biard presiding, by assistant district attorneys working for then Collin County DA John Roach.  Eddie Williams is currently serving a 20 year sentence for his role in the murders.

Because this matter may involve ongoing litigation, further public comment by the Collin County District Attorney’s office would be inappropriate.

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June 15, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis has requested the Texas Rangers conduct an independent investigation into the June 5th Craig Ranch incident.  This request was made earlier today to Texas Ranger Major Dewayne Dockery of Company “B” based in Garland, Texas.

“I have full confidence in the good men and women of the McKinney Police Department and their ability to fully investigate this matter.  At the same time, an independent investigation of this incident will add an important layer of transparency to the process,” said Willis.

Because this is an on-going investigation, the Collin County District Attorney’s Office will have no further public comment at this time.

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June 12, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Brenden Frank Bridges, 18, and Adam Blake Staup, 17, both of Wylie, Texas were sentenced by a judge to 30 years in prison, for planning and executing the brutal murder of classmate Ivan Mejia, announced Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis.

At the time of the murder, both Bridges and Staup were 16 years old.  Judge Cynthia Wheless certified both teens to be tried as adults in separate hearings last summer.  Monday, June 8, 2015 both teens pled guilty to murder without a plea bargain agreement.  Over the course of the week, prosecutors presented evidence of the facts and circumstances surrounding the murder, as well as information about Mejia.  Defense attorneys provided testimony from psychologists who evaluated Bridges and Staup and from family members and friends of the teens.  Judge Mark Rusch heard the evidence and on Friday decided and assessed the 30 year sentences.

Testimony revealed that Bridges and Staup finalized their plan to kill Mejia five days before they murdered him on March 8, 2014.  Staup sent Mejia a text message posing as Mejia’s girlfriend.  The message asked Mejia to come to Bennett Road behind Wylie East High School.  When Mejia arrived, Staup and Bridges were waiting.  Staup put Mejia in a chokehold and began strangling him.  Bridges joined in and eventually Mejia lost consciousness.  Staup and Bridges then put Mejia in the trunk of a car, duct taped his hands and feet together, stuffed a rag into his mouth and held his nose shut for one minute to ensure Mejia was dead.  From there, Bridges drove them to a wooded area in Garland to hide Mejia’s body.  Evidence showed that Bridges and Staup dragged Mejia’s body over 1,000 feet through the woods to a small creek.  Next to the creek was a hole for Mejia’s body that Bridges and Staup had dug the night before.  As Bridges and Staup were making their way to the makeshift grave, Garland Police were notified of a suspicious vehicle by the woods.  When officers responded they found Bridges and Staup in the creek trying to sink Mejia’s body.

Further investigation by Wylie police discovered that Mejia was romantically involved with a girl who Bridges was also interested in.  Bridges believed that if Mejia was “out of the way” then he would be able to pursue a relationship with the girl.  Bridges and Staup developed the plan to kill Mejia to get him “out of the way.”

The victim, Ivan Mejia, was a 17-year-old senior at Wylie East High School.  According to family and friends, Ivan was actively involved in the Junior ROTC program at Wylie East.  His dream was to become a United States Marine.  Teachers testified that Ivan was very respectful, liked to laugh and always had a smile on his face.  Ivan’s mother called him the “sunshine” of their family.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashley Keil and Zeke Fortenberry prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett.

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June 9, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Our office has received numerous inquiries from the public regarding the June 5th incident at Craig Ranch.  We share the public’s legitimate interest in a full and fair investigation of this matter.  We are currently awaiting the results of the McKinney Police Department’s investigation and ask for patience as their investigation continues.  We remain dedicated to seeking justice and protecting all members of our community.

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June 4, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Rontae Thornton, 38, of McKinney, received a sentence of 40 years without the possibility of parole for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and sentences of 10 years each for Sexual Assault of a Child and Possession of Child Pornography, all to run concurrently, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

Thornton met the victim when she was 7 years old while dating her mother.  When the victim was 13 years old, she woke up from napping to Thornton having sex with her.  Thornton then developed a relationship with the victim, had sex with her twice a week and planned to run away with her.  When the victim was 14, she became pregnant by Thornton and had an abortion.

McKinney P.D. Sergeant Tony Spano stopped Thornton for a traffic violation on March 12, 2014 after observing Thornton and the victim leaving a motel around 2:30 a.m.  Upon stopping Thornton’s car, Sergeant Spano formed reasonable suspicion that an improper relationship was occurring due to all the surrounding circumstances including time of night, leaving the hotel, differences in last names, and the disparity in age.  During his investigation, Spano found inappropriate text messages, photos and videos on Thornton’s phone.  McKinney P.D. Detective Eric Stephens interviewed Thornton after the arrest and obtained a confession.

During the jury trial, after Sergeant Spano testified, Thornton elected to change his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty” and have the court assess punishment.

The victim and Detective Stephens testified in the punishment phase of trial.  Evidence showed that Thornton had child pornography on his phone of the victim as well as other children. Judge Richard Davis sentenced Thornton to 40 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Assistant District Attorneys Geeta Singletary and Daniel Lewis prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers.

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June 2, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – Christopher James Holder, 31, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole after a jury found him guilty of capital murder, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis.

On November 11, 2012, Plano police discovered Bill Tanner’s lifeless body in his East Plano home. Tanner had been beaten and also sustained 20 stab wounds. It also appeared to officers that the killer had attempted to burn Tanner’s house to conceal evidence.  Detective Beth Spillman soon developed a suspect – Holder.  At one time, Holder was the boyfriend of Tanner’s adult stepdaughter and lived in Tanner’s house with the step-daughter and her young children.  In late October 2012, at the request of Tanner’s step-daughter, Tanner asked Holder to move out.

Holder had few options when he left the Tanner household.  Testimony showed that he worked sporadically, did not have a place to live, and used methamphetamine heavily.  On the day of Tanner’s death, cell phone records put Holder in the area of Tanner’s house.  DNA evidence also linked Holder to the house on the day of the murder.

At trial, Thomas Uselton, Holder’s former friend, testified that Holder brought him to Tanner’s house during the early morning hours of November 11, 2012.  Uselton saw Tanner’s dead body and Holder said it was because he molested a little girl.  Child Protective Services and police investigated the concerns, but found no evidence that any inappropriate activity had occurred between Tanner and his step-granddaughter.

Uselton testified that Holder wanted Uselton’s help to clean the crime scene and move Tanner’s body.  Uselton refused to help move the body, so Holder attempted to burn the house down to conceal the evidence and the two men fled in Tanner’s vehicle.
Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cynthia Walker and Wes Wynne prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigators J.D. Spielman and Mike Smith.  District Judge Chris Oldner presided over the case.

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May 22, 2015

(McKinney, Texas) – DWI drivers need to be on notice that this will be a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Memorial 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 May 22 – 25, 2015 is a “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” weekend in Collin County.

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