March 25, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secures a life with no parole sentence for child predator who claimed God told him to do it.

Christopher Caudill, 46, of Dallas, Texas, was an adult who had ongoing access to the child. In November of 2021, the then 18 year old victim out-cried to a family friend that Caudill had abused her repeatedly between the ages of 11 to 17. Victim said that during the abuse Caudill would justify it by saying “God told him to do it,” and “that’s what they did in the Bible.” The victim’s friend then contacted law enforcement to report the abuse.

Carrollton Police Department Detective Erika Honeycutt investigated the case and separately interviewed both the victim, who disclosed details of the abuse, and Caudill, who admitted to sexually assaulting the victim over a number of years. Caudill stated he abused the victim because they had a relationship that was “a love like they had in the Bible.”

The jury found Caudill guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a first degree felony carrying a punishment range of 25 years to life in prison. After finding Caudill guilty and considering the facts of the case, the jury assessed punishment at life in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

After sentencing, District Attorney Greg Willis observed that: “It’s revolting that this horribly evil person not only inflicted such prolonged pain and evil on a child, but also had the twisted nerve to use God and the Bible to justify it. We are thankful the jury saw through his deceit and delivered justice.”

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Haynes and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator’s Greg Bowers and Michael Coleman, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur.

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March 19, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s Office secured a 35-year sentence for career drug dealer on parole, headed to prison for the 4th Time.

On September 7, 2021, Plano Police Department Officer Ben Thurmond conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle. The driver originally provided a false name, but officers ultimately determined his true name and that he had an outstanding warrant. The driver, Calvin Ray Hudson, age 44, of Princeton, Texas, was initially arrested for the misdemeanor offense of failure to identify while a fugitive from justice, due to lying about his name when he had an outstanding warrant.

Officer Varner conducted a search of Hudson’s person following his arrest and found a Crown Royale bag with two empty syringes and a baggie with a crystalline substance that was later confirmed to be 20.08 grams of methamphetamine.

McKinney Police Department Narcotics Detective Joe Arp testified as an expert that the amount of methamphetamine Hudson had was not that of a user but rather that of a dealer. Detective Arp testified that the typical personal use amount of methamphetamine is 0.2 grams, so Hudson had just over 100 doses with him at the time.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth found Hudson guilty of the first degree felony of Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine.

In the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence that Hudson had an extensive history as a drug dealer. Hudson was first convicted of selling drugs in 2007 when he was sentenced to 6 months in state jail for possession with the intent to deliver methamphetamine. In November 2014, Hudson was sentenced to prison for 3 years for second degree possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine. Lastly, in January 2017, Hudson was convicted of both second degree and first degree possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and sentenced to 5 years in prison. Hudson was still on parole for the 2017 cases when he committed this 2021 offense. Hudson also served time in state jail for two felony theft convictions in 2004 and 2012.

After Judge Edgeworth sentenced Hudson to 35 years in prison, Willis stated, “A relentless drug dealer, undeterred by parole and three prior prison sentences for the same crime, has finally been stopped. Collin County families can breathe easier with this 35-year sentence.”

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Emily Pratt and Nick Lawrance prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Stephanie Strickland and Michael Bennett.

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March 11, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s Office secured a Life sentence for Serial Predator, Pedophile, and Stalker, Deketric Charrontay Love, 27, of Mesquite, Texas, after a jury found him guilty of Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Invasive Visual Recording.

The series of events leading to Love’s arrest began on November 11, 2022, when the Frisco Police Department responded to a report of suspicious activity. A child, alone at home, noticed an individual peering into his bedroom window, though no arrest was made that day. On December 2, 2022, the same child discovered unfamiliar items in his room, including a concealed camera on his dresser. Following this incident, a home security system was installed by the child’s father.

Days later, that security system detected motion inside the house and recorded the intruder exiting the premises. In another disturbing episode, the child noticed the intruder outside his window late at night while doing homework. The child and his father then confronted the man and alerted the police. The suspect, identified as Love, attempted to escape but was arrested while trying to leave the neighborhood in his vehicle. A search of Love’s car unearthed additional cameras and items belonging to the child. Data from Love’s phone not only placed him at the scene during these incidents but also on other occasions unknown to the family. It revealed his connection to the home’s Wi-Fi and his use of an application linked to the camera left in the child’s room. Forensic analysis matched Love’s fingerprints and DNA to items found in and around the house, solidifying his involvement.

Investigated by Frisco Police Detectives Walker Martin and Sanja Trtanj, the jury found Love guilty. During the sentencing phase, prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence of Love’s prior criminal conduct and his potential threat to the community. Love was on felony probation for Online Solicitation of a Minor in Dallas County at the time of his arrest. Investigators found a substantial amount of explicit child imagery on his phone and evidence that Love had surreptitiously recorded a former coworker from outside her bathroom window.

Six community members testified about Love’s repeated voyeuristic behavior, including lurking outside windows, removing screens, entering homes uninvited, and in one instance, standing at the foot of a child’s bed in the night. A licensed sex offender treatment provider who had worked with Love testified about his unsuccessful discharge from a treatment program, his refusal to accept responsibility for his actions, and his continued danger to the community.

Additionally, following the jury’s verdict but prior to his sententing, jail staff reported that Love had made a video call to a friend, during which he requested the display of pornographic videos and engaged in inappropriate, self-pleasuring behavior, further demonstrating his lack of remorse and ongoing risk to society. Judge Benjamin Smith sentenced Love to life in prison. “We’ve sent a strong message: Our community is off-limits to predators, and we’re all in to keep our kids safe,” Willis stated after sentencing.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Andrew Eberlein and Jamin Daly prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Sarah Putman, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Jaimie Valliere.

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March 6, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secured a 55 year sentence in prison without parole for a Plano man’s decade-long, repeated sexual assault of a child.

Lloyd Amos, 55, of Plano, Texas, was known by and had ongoing access to the child.  He repeatedly sexually abused the child over a ten year period ending during the child’s 15^th year. In 2022 the victim outcried to a sibling about the abuse.  The victim’s sibling confronted Amos via text messages about the abuse, where Amos said that he had repented for the crime and that he would “take care of the monster inside himself.” The victim’s sibling then told their mother, who contacted law enforcement, and a formal investigation ensued.

Plano Police Department Detective Kristina McClain investigated the case, including the interview of the victim, who disclosed the details of the abuse.

The jury found Amos guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a first degree felony offense with a range of punishment of 25-99 years or Life. Judge Tom Nowak assessed punishment at 55 years in prison.  By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole. “No child should suffer like this child, not even for a second. Now, with this predator locked away for over 50 years, our kids are safer,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Claire Mosley and Alex Haynes prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Bowers and Kim Voigt-Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Valerie Miller, and Legal Secretary Christy Ware.

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March 4, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secured a 45 year no-parole sentence for an abuser’s repeated sexual assault of an 11 year old child.

Nathanael Lane, 42, of Garland, Texas, was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the child.  In July of 2022, Lane took the victim to a sleep study in Plano. Lane was informed that the child’s sleep would be video recorded for purposes of the study. The video showed Lane, who believed the room was too dark for the video to pick up the assault, sexually assault the victim.  Staff members contacted law enforcement, who arrived on scene and interviewed Lane.  Lane admitted he sexually assaulted the victim during the sleep study, and in a later interview further admitted he sexually assaulted the victim over the course of several months at his home.

Plano Police Department Detective Bryan Patten investigated the case. The victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she ultimately disclosed details about the abuse

The jury found Lane guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, a first degree felony carrying a punishment range of 5-99 years or life. Judge John Roach, Jr. assessed punishment at 45 years in prison.  By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole

“Child sexual assaults often tragically unfold in the shadows. In a striking turn of events, this perpetrator’s darkly evil actions were captured on video by vigilant employees – individuals who had no prior connection to the victim. They acted swiftly and responsibly, and our heartfelt gratitude extends to these courageous strangers and the ever-diligent Plano police,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Mollie Thompson and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Kim Voigt-Eanes, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretaries Christy Ware and Jessica Ledbetter.

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February 27, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secured a life sentence for a home invasion serial rapist after the case was solved using forensic genetic genealogy. “This maximum sentence would not have been possible without the bravery of these four survivors, as well as the above and beyond cooperation and coordination of Plano, Coppell, Corinth, and Arlington police, and the Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant county district attorney offices. This was the first Collin County offender identified using the same forensic DNA technology that solved the Golden State Killer case. We’re grateful for Plano Police Department’s decade long dedication to cracking this case, and ultimately three other cases,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On April 2, 2011, Plano Police Department responded to a home invasion sexual assault that occurred sometime after 2 o’clock in the morning. The victim was awakened by an unknown male in her bed. She fought back during the sexual assault and in the course of doing so, her attacker’s blood was transferred to a pillow case on the bed. The pillow case was collected as evidence, as was a routine sexual assault nurse examination, both of which were forensically analyzed to develop a clear suspect DNA profile.

In September and October of 2011, Coppell Police Department (Dallas County) and Corinth Police Department (Denton County) responded to similar home invasion sexual assaults where the victims also underwent SANE exams. The unknown male profile in both of those cases was a forensic match to the suspect profile in the Plano case. Plano, Coppell, and Corinth police departments worked tirelessly for years collecting DNA from persons of interest and following up on any and all viable tips associated with these cases. The suspect was even the subject of an FBI’s America’s Most Wanted episode.

In 2018, Arlington Police Department (Tarrant County) sent sexual assault kits on unsolved cases for additional testing in hopes that advancements in DNA technology would result in new leads. This uncovered evidence from a 2003 home invasion sexual assault case that also matched to the same offender from all three 2011 cases.

In 2018, Detective Daniel Bryeans became the lead cold case investigator assigned to the case for Plano PD.  Bryeans, assisted by Plano PD analyst Jane Clements, spent the next two years working with genetic genealogy laboratories and conducting hundreds of hours of genealogical research to narrow in on a person of interest.

Ultimately, that research, along with forensic testing, lead to the arrest of Jeffery Wheat, 52, of Lexington, Mississippi, for the first degree Burglary of a Habitation with Intent to Commit Sex Assault.  Wheat was working as a long-haul truck driver in Mississippi at the time of his arrest. However, Wheat had been living in the DFW area during the time periods of all four of the offenses. Plano’s investigation revealed that each of the 2011 victims was a member of the same sorority and that the sorority had used a credit card processing company that employed Wheat and would have given him access to personal identifying information. It was due to this connection of the three 2011 victims that Wheat was dubbed the “Sorority Rapist” by the police agencies and the media in the early stages of investigation.

On Tuesday, February 27^th, three of the survivors appeared in court for the sentencing hearing and gave their victim impact statements, confronted their attacker, and described the trauma they endured.

Judge Angela Tucker imposed the sentence secured by prosecutors – Life in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Calli Bailey and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.

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February 26, 2024

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis’s office secured a 30 year sentence for shotgun ambush of Sachse police officers. Josiah Perez, 27, of Sachse, Texas, was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon against a Public Servant, after a jury found him guilty.

On September 2, 2022, at 12:02 a.m., two City of Sachse police officers were in their parked squad car completing a report when Perez walked up from behind the car and fired his short-barreled shotgun into the driver’s side window. The driver, Officer Cory Bable, was struck by the blast and sustained injuries to his head, neck, and back from the shattered glass and birdshot. Officer Bable nevertheless pushed the shotgun up and away while he tried to wrestle the shotgun away from Perez.

Meanwhile, Sergeant Brent Merryman jumped out of the passenger seat, circled around the front of the car, and returned fire on Perez. Despite being shot twice, Perez then circled around the rear of the car to the passenger side, where he continued to point his weapon at the officers. Merryman shot him again and neutralized him, after which Perez was taken into custody. Officers found two more live shotgun shells on his person. The officers testified at trial that they had no prior interactions with Perez before the shooting. The case was investigated by the Texas Rangers.

During the punishment phase, the jury heard from two Mesquite police officers who had previous interactions with Perez, including a Dallas County conviction for spitting in an officer’s face. After considering all of the evidence in the case, the jury assessed punishment at 30 years in prison. “Perez ambushed officers from behind while they were pulled over completing their responsibilities on an unrelated call. We’re so thankful for their brave and heroic actions, and this case is a reminder that there are no routine calls or routine days for a police officer,” said Willis after jury sentencing

Assistant Criminal District Attorney Ashlyn Scott and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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February 21, 2024

Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Patrick William Travis, 26, of Lake Stevens, Washington, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the offenses of Sexual Assault of a Child and Indecency with a Child by Contact. “This child molester preyed upon not just one, not just two, but multiple victims. And for that he deserves not only the maximum sentence on each charge, but will now have to serve each sentence consecutively for a total of 40 years in prison,” stated Willis after sentencing.

Travis was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to the child victim related to the primary charge. He sexually abused that child multiple times over the course of a year, starting when the victim was 13 years old. The victim disclosed the abuse to a teacher who contacted law enforcement. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement learned that Travis had also sexually abused another teenage victim.

At the sentencing hearing, prosecutors presented the above evidence. They also presented evidence that during the course of the investigation, Travis admitted to previously molesting numerous females between the ages of 13 to 16.

Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Jason Evans investigated the case. The initial victim was forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where she disclosed details about the abuse.

Judge Jennifer Edgeworth presided over the case. Judge Edgeworth assessed the maximum punishment of 20 years in prison on the second degree charge of Sexual Assault of a Child, and assessed the maximum punishment of 10 years in prison on two separate third degree charges of Indecency with a Child by Contact. The Judge then ordered all three sentences to run consecutively, so that one sentence must end before the next sentence begins, for a total of 40 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Alex Haynes and Claire Mosley prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers, Victim Assistance Coordinator Melissa White, and Legal Secretary Ramnpreet Kaur.

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January 5, 2024

District Attorney Greg Willis announced that the Collin County Citizen Prosecutor Academy (CCCPA) Spring session will begin February 1^st.

Prosecutors are sworn to seek justice in every case, and the CCCPA offers a behind the scenes look at the process. Participants selected through the competitive application process will learn from, and engage with, the finest prosecutors, investigators, detectives, and judges in the field. The unique opportunity sheds light on the daily operations and builds a partnership with the community.

Our free, 12-week program will be held each Thursday from 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Click here to
read more or complete the online application by January 11, 2024. Call Shelly Pingsterhaus at
972-548-4478 with questions. Additional requirements:

• Participants must pass a background check
• Attendance requirements must be met for successful completion
• Must be at least 18 years of age

CCCPA participants learn the role of the DA and the criminal justice system through open dialogue with the District Attorney’s leadership, while connecting with their community. Upon completion they’ll be ready to share their insights about how the District Attorney’s office partners with law enforcement agencies to pursue justice and protect our community.

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December 12, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Stacey Jurik, 40, of Wylie, was sentenced to 32 years in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after a jury found her guilty, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “What Jurik put this child through is unthinkably disgusting. Then to also profit from the pornographic pictures of the child makes us all want to throw up,” said Willis after sentencing.

In 2021, Jurik was contacted by a photographer named Grant Durtschi. Durtschi traveled between numerous states photographing children, and many of the photos were of a sexually explicit nature. Jurik was aware that Durtschi produced child pornography and arranged for Durtschi to photograph a child in her care.

Jurik brought the child to numerous photo shoots with Durtschi from 2021 through early 2022. Jurik would discuss the ideas and themes for the photo shoots with Durtschi beforehand. These included the child posing both partially and fully nude and taking part in simulated sexual acts. At the photo shoots themselves, Jurik would prepare the child for and position the child in these sexually explicit poses. Jurik would remain for the entirety of the photo shoots and assist Durtschi in getting the child to cooperate with the photos. Jurik received payment from Durtschi for each of these photo shoots as well as a large percentage of the proceeds that he made from selling the photos online.

In August 2021, another child whom Durtschi had been photographing in a sexually explicit manner reported Durtschi to the FBI in Louisiana. The FBI began a months-long investigation into Durtschi for producing child pornography, with FBI Special Agent David Borgetti, Special Agent Chris Bedford, and Special Agent Karen Ryndak uncovering numerous other child victims that Durtschi had been photographing across multiple states.

Pursuant to a federal search warrant, the FBI seized over 50 electronic devices belonging to Durtschi, some of which contained the sexually explicit photos and videos of the child Jurik brought to him. These devices also contained multiple videos showing Jurik’s active participation in producing child pornography at these photo sessions in the DFW area.

After the FBI transferred the investigation of Jurik to the State of Texas, Dallas Police Department Detective Michael Fontenot led the investigation into Jurik. Throughout his investigation, Fontenot discovered the exact dates and locations of the session where Jurik would bring the child to be photographed, which included locations in Wylie, Providence Village, and Dallas.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for the first-degree felony offense of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child. During the punishment phase of the trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Jurik had provided photos of another child to Durtschi for him to sell online. The jury assessed punishment at 32 years in prison with no eligibility for parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Kimberly Kircher and Dewey Mitchell prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Linda Herrera. Judge Tom Nowak presided over the case.

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December 5, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Allieu Bayoh, 27, of Frisco, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 35 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery after pleading guilty. “This guy committed armed robbery not once, not twice, but three times. Even switching cell phone providers didn’t help him escape the long arm of the law. I’m thankful for the excellent investigation by Frisco Police, as well as the jury for ensuring he can no longer terrorize hard-working, law-abiding citizens at gunpoint,” said Willis after sentencing.

On November 26, 2021, at approximately 9:00 pm, Frisco Police Department officers responded to a Verizon cell phone store in Frisco after employees of the store called 911 and reported being robbed at gunpoint by another employee of the store who had worked that day. The victims further reported that the suspect took dozens of cell phones and tablets, and ultimately one of the victims’ cars to flee the scene.

The next day, Arlington Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop of the stolen car, which was occupied by Bayoh. Officers found items taken in the robbery in the car and on Bayoh’s person, including one of the victims’ wallets and a tablet. Bayoh attempted to resist officers, but he was ultimately placed under arrest for the November 2021 robbery. Bayoh remained in custody until bonding out on March 7, 2022.

On May 16, 2022, just two months after bonding out on the November 2021 aggravated robbery, Frisco officers responded to the same Verizon cell phone store after an employee called 911 and reported a similar robbery at gunpoint. After the victim picked Bayoh out of a photo lineup, an arrest warrant was issued for him.

On May 26, 2022, just 10 days after his second aggravated robbery, Frisco officers responded to an AT&T store in Frisco after an employee called 911 and reported now a third similar robbery at gunpoint.

Frisco officers, including lead detective Kristopher Mendoza, went to an address associated with Bayoh, where they found and arrested him for both May 2022 offenses. In a search of his person and the vehicle associated with the May 26th robbery, officers found electronics taken in the robbery and a loaded Glock handgun.

After Bayoh pled guilty, he elected to have the jury assess his punishment. After hearing evidence of the robberies, the jury sentenced Bayoh to 35 years in prison.

Judge Paul Banner presided over the case.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Luke Calhoun and Abbie Adkins prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Michael Coleman.

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November 28, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Dominic Miguel Rivera, 40, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for first degree felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Methamphetamine after a jury found him guilty. “This seven-time felon’s parole in Dallas County ended only eight months before he made the career-ending decision of dealing again in Collin County, where he had enough methamphetamine for 100 people to each take separate doses. Collin County will not tolerate career drug dealers,” said Willis after sentencing.

On November 15, 2022, Richardson Police Department officers Nicholas Ward and Maurice Johnson conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that Rivera was a passenger in. Officers immediately noticed that Rivera had a backpack tucked tightly between his legs and was holding his chest with one hand. During a search of Rivera’s person, Officer Johnson found a loaded handgun inside Rivera’s jacket in the same spot he had been holding when officers approached.

Rivera originally provided a false name to officers, but once his identity was confirmed through his driver’s license, a check of Rivera’s criminal history showed multiple prior felony convictions. Rivera was subsequently arrested for the offense of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.

Officer Benjamin Masters conducted a search of the backpack that had been at Rivera’s feet and found an additional loaded magazine for the handgun found in Rivera’s jacket, a Velcro pouch containing an electronic scale and multiple empty baggies, a pill bottle containing marijuana that had been broken down for distribution, and a glass container with a crystalline substance inside that was later confirmed to be 22.61 grams of methamphetamine. McKinney Police Department Narcotics Detective Joe Arp testified, as an expert on the drug trade, that the amount of methamphetamine Rivera had was not for personal use. A typical personal use amount of methamphetamine is 0.2 grams, so Rivera had over 100 doses with him at the time.

The jury found Rivera guilty. In the punishment phase, prosecutors presented evidence that Rivera had a lengthy criminal history, including a long history of selling drugs. On February 23, 2012, Rivera was convicted of four Collin County drug charges, all of which occurred on different dates. On two of those drug charges, Rivera received the maximum of 2 years in state jail for two offenses of possession of cocaine and possession with intent to deliver cocaine. Rivera received 8 years in prison for the other two charges, a third degree felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine and a second degree felony possession with intent to deliver cocaine.

On October 15, 2019, Rivera was sentenced to probation out of Dallas County for second degree felony possession of methamphetamine. But on November 10, 2019, Rivera violated his probation when he was again arrested for possession of a controlled substance. Rivera’s probation was revoked on February 21, 2020, and he was sentenced to three years in prison.

After hearing Rivera’s criminal history of seven felony convictions and considering the facts of the new offense, Judge Benjamin Smith sentenced Rivera to 40 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jamin Daly and Wendy Correa prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman, Jennifer Gomez, and Michael Bennett, and Legal Secretary Jaimie Valliere.

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November 14, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Dakota Carroll, 30, a documented Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang member of Dallas, Texas, pleaded guilty days before trial and was sentenced to 30 years in prison for Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams of methamphetamine, a first degree felony. “Dakota Carroll is a known violent gangster with extensive criminal history who’s willing to try to bribe police officers. This 30 year sentence holds him accountable and keeps him away from Collin County citizens,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On July 26, 2020, Richardson Police Department officers were patrolling the area near the Econolodge off of North Central Expressway when a vehicle made several traffic violations, catching the attention of Sergeant Benjamin Masters. Masters initiated a traffic stop and would ultimately identify the driver as Dakota Carroll. Based on his initial interaction with Carroll, Masters requested a K-9 officer to the scene.

K-9 Officer Cory Wendling along with K-9 Falco conducted an open air sniff of the vehicle, which resulted in a positive alert. A probable cause search of the vehicle yielded 58 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, unused baggies for distribution, a small amount of cash, and less than 1 gram of heroin. While officers were finishing their search of the vehicle, Carroll indicated that he could order up a pound (over 450 grams) of methamphetamine and a bunch of guns in exchange for letting him go off the charges. Carroll’s ploy was unsuccessful and he was ultimately arrested and taken to jail for the first degree felony. Carroll remained in jail for 81 days before posting bond of $25,000.

Investigation into Carroll’s background revealed he had been to prison in 2015 for a Dallas County charge of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. After bonding out on the Collin County charge, Carroll committed numerous other crimes back in Dallas County including Robbery (within three weeks of getting out of jail), Deadly Conduct (non-fatal shooting of a female), Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon, Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance, Abandoning and Endangering Child, and Evading with a Motor Vehicle.

Sergeant Masters was the lead investigator on the case, with the assistance of K-9 Officer Wendling, and Officer Billy Minnix.

Judge Ben Smith presided over the case and assessed the sentence of 30 years.

Assistant Criminal District Attorney Christina Skipper prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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November 14, 2023

(McKinney, TX)

Statement of District Attorney Greg Willis:

“Today’s sentence of Life without Parole for Jeremy Harris ensures that this violent criminal can never again threaten public safety and innocent victims. I hope that the finality of today’s sentence can serve as the first step in the healing process for all the victims left in his wake.

I would like to thank all the many law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation and arrest of this defendant, especially the Celina Police Department, who served as the primary investigative agency on our case.”

October 24, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Juan Barrera, 59, of Wylie, Texas, was sentenced to 82 years in prison for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child after a jury found him guilty. “This predator not only abused one child, but two. He’ll now have the rest of his life in prison to ponder the pathetic and selfish excuses he made for himself,” said Willis after sentencing.

Barrera was an adult who was known by and had ongoing access to two children. He sexually abused both children over the course of a couple of years, beginning when the victims were approximately 7 and 8 years old.

After a particular incident of abuse, one victim immediately disclosed what happened to an adult family member. The adult family member then reported the incident to the police.  Once law enforcement began investigating the abuse of this child, this child’s older sibling outcried to getting abused as well.

The defendant was interviewed and admitted to abusing the children. He claimed he was suffering from erectile dysfunction and was trying to “feel something.” His DNA was also located on swabs taken from one of the children during a medical examination.

Wylie Police Department Detective Sam Shipley investigated the case. The victims were forensically interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, where they disclosed details about the abuse.

The jury found Barrera guilty of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child and assessed punishment at 82 years in prison. By law, a sentence for Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child is without eligibility for parole.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Mollie Thompson and Baileigh Hale prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Greg Bowers and Legal Secretary Raman Kaur. Judge Richard Davis presided over the case.

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October 17, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) –Matthew Cory Taylor, 28, of Plano, Texas, was sentenced by a jury to 30 years in prison for Aggravated Robbery after being found guilty, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “This career criminal committed 15 crimes in just 6 years, served time in both federal and state prison, all before breaking into a stranger’s home and holding the victim at gunpoint. The jury’s sentence will keep Collin County citizens safe from him for the extended future,” said Willis after sentencing.

On December 31, 2022, at approximately 4:00 am, Plano Police Department officers responded to an apartment in Plano after the victim called 911 regarding a home-invasion robbery. The victim stated that he was awoken by two individuals coming through his window, pointing a gun at him, demanding he get in his closet, and asking the location of his safe. The victim reported he knew one of the individuals as a female family friend, and the other was an unknown masked man.

Plano Detective Mary Jung conducted an investigation to determine associates of the female involved in the robbery. Social media searches revealed that the known female suspect was in a relationship with Taylor. Less than 24 hours after the robbery, Plano Officers arrested both suspects, and the stolen items were in their possession. A cell phone extraction of Taylor’s phone revealed messages between the two suspects planning the robbery, as well as messages in which Taylor was attempting to sell some of the stolen items.

The jury found Taylor guilty of Aggravated Robbery.

In the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence to the jury of Taylor’s extensive criminal history. From 2012 to 2016, Taylor was arrested and convicted for a litany offenses ranging from Robbery, Assault Bodily Injury-Family Violence, & Burglary of a Building to misdemeanor Failure to Identify Fugitive & Criminal Trespass. In 2017, Taylor was indicted in federal court for Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, for attempting to sell methamphetamine with a firearm in Collin County. Taylor was also arrested in 2017 on a separate date for state charges of third degree possession of methamphetamine. In spring 2018, Taylor was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison, with supervised released for 5 more years after that, and 2 years in the state penitentiary, respectively. Taylor was on federal supervised release when he committed this crime. In total, Taylor has been convicted for 15 offenses over the span of 6 years.

After hearing of this criminal history and considering the facts of this home invasion Aggravated Robbery, the jury sentenced Taylor to 30 years in prison. For this crime, Texas law doesn’t allow eligibility for state parole consideration until he has served one-half of the sentence (15 years).

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Anthony D’Amore and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigators Sarah Putman and Jennifer Gomez. Judge Andrea Thompson presided over the case.

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October 13, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Alicia Calderon, 37, of Wylie, was sentenced to 75 years in prison for the sadistic torture of a young woman, announced Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis. “Calderon tricked the victim into living with her, and then controlled her with unthinkable torture. She severely burned the victim’s arms, chest, and back by pouring a pot of boiling water on her. She also deprived her of food, locked her in a dog crate, and cut off her communication to the outside world. We hope and pray this jury’s sentence will allow the victim to further heal from all the deep physical and emotional wounds inflicted by this defendant,” stated Willis after sentencing.

In 2019, the 24 year old victim moved in with Calderon and her family in their Wylie trailer. The agreement was that the victim would keep the house clean, care for Calderon’s children, and take care of a disabled elderly woman in exchange for a free place to live. This living arrangement worked well at first, but after several months, the situation deteriorated. Calderon began to mistreat the victim, first by taking away her phone, then later by restricting her food and her movements in and out of the trailer. Calderon began locking the victim in the room with the elderly woman whose condition had severely declined. The victim lost over half of her body weight until she no longer had the strength to take care of the elderly woman.

In July 2021, Calderon caught the victim sneaking food from the house. As punishment, she locked the victim in a dog crate and poured boiling water on her, injuring her legs. Later that year, during an argument, Calderon poured a pot of boiling water on the victim, giving her severe burns on her arms, chest and back. Calderon did not let the victim get medical treatment.

On February 1, 2022, another member of the household let the victim borrow his phone. The victim sent her stepfather a Facebook message stating she needed help and that she was locked in a room. That was the first time in two years she had spoken to either of her parents. The victim’s stepfather called 911 and went to the trailer. Responding deputies with the Collin County Sheriff’s Office had to remove stacked stones away from the door in order for the victim to escape. The victim was down to sixty-eight pounds, her head had been shaved, and her body was covered in second and third degree burns. When deputies found the elderly woman in the trailer, her condition had declined so much they initially believed she was deceased.

Collin County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Richard Cass led the investigation. At trial, the victim’s burn doctor testified to the extent of her injuries. The victim underwent multiple surgeries, including skin grafts to recover from her severe burns. The victim spent six weeks in the hospital recovering from her injuries and malnourishment. At trial, she described the trauma she still has today, and the nerve damage that never healed.

The jury returned a guilty verdict for the first-degree felony offense of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury to a Household Member. During the punishment phase of trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Calderon spent $78,000 of the elderly woman’s recently received inheritance within three months, and had been cashing her social security checks for several years. Investigator Joshua Duncan testified that the money went towards tattoo shops, a party rental place and new tire rims. Prosecutors also informed the jury that Calderon was previously arrested for robbery out of Dallas County but convicted of the lesser included offense of misdemeanor theft in 2015.

Judge George Flint presided over the case.

Assistant District Attorneys Taylor Reese and Kailey Gillman prosecuted the case, assisted by District Attorney Investigator Mike Bennett, Victim Assistance Coordinators Shaunette Bronson and Niccole Frazier, and Assistant District Attorney Michael Mooneyham.

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September 20, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Artemio Yanez, 56, of Plano, was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to Murder. “Brutally stabbing an innocent victim 63 times shocks the conscience. Permanently getting this dangerously violent man off the streets allows others to live their lives in peaceful safety,” stated Willis after sentencing.

On June 8, 2021, at 6:00 p.m., Plano Police Officer Jonathan Theis responded to a parking lot in east Plano in reference to a stabbing call. On the way to the scene, dispatch notes updated that the suspect had fled in a white van and a witness to the offense was following him in his vehicle.

Officers on scene of the stabbing found Emilio Romero unconscious and bleeding out in the driver seat of his van. Other officers stopped the suspect’s van and detained Yanez, who was not wearing a shirt and appeared to have blood on his arms and cheek. A search of his van recovered a bloody 6-inch knife.

A second eyewitness came forward at the crime scene with a video of the offense he recorded while he was also in the parking lot. In the video, Yanez is observed standing outside the victim’s van at the driver side, repeatedly stabbing Romero as he sat in the driver seat.

The autopsy revealed 63 stab wounds on his body. Plano detectives were unable to determine a motive behind the murder or any confrontation that appeared to take place beforehand, only noting that both Yanez and Romero appeared to be living out of their vans for an extended period.

During the punishment phase, prosecutors also presented evidence of Yanez’s violence against other inmates and detention officers while he has been detained in the Collin County jail, as well as his prior convictions, including assault bodily injury and driving while intoxicated.

After hearing all of this evidence, Judge Angela Tucker sentenced Yanez to life in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott, Calli Bailey, and Justin Dotzel prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Stephanie Strickland.

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September 19, 2023

Statement of Collin County Criminal District Attorney Greg Willis:

“I won’t be mourning the murder of convicted serial killer Billy Chemirmir. Rather, my thoughts today are with the families of the precious ladies he murdered. These families have been through more than we can imagine, and I pray that someday they can find peace.”

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September 12, 2023

(McKinney, Texas) – Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis announced that Prince Haymer, 21, of Dallas, was sentenced to 75 years in prison after a jury found him guilty of Murder. “This man was the mastermind behind an aggravated robbery that included a grandmother and her 18-month old granddaughter being held at gunpoint and that ended in murder. This sentence is just the first step in holding everyone accountable,” said Willis after sentencing.

On April 11, 2022, McKinney PD Officer Kyle Wilkerson responded to a home in McKinney in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, Officer Wilkerson discovered Rayshawn Williams laying behind the garage of one of the houses in the neighborhood. Williams had multiple gunshot wounds to his legs. Additionally, officers noticed multiple casings from two different types of guns. An AR-15 rifle and an iPhone were also laying in the grass near Williams.

Officers then located Williams’ mother-in-law inside the home. She told police that Williams had received a phone call and went out into the garage. She heard yelling before a masked male entered the kitchen where she was holding her 18-month old granddaughter. The suspect, while holding a gun, asked her where the money was, then demanded her phone. The suspect then fled back outside. She heard gunshots moments later and went to hide in the bathtub with her granddaughter.

Detective Steven Robinson arrived on scene and discovered a Ring surveillance camera that captured the shooting. The video showed a gray hatchback Lexus pull into the alleyway and four masked, armed individuals get out and hold Williams at gunpoint. Two suspects run inside the house, then return, asking where the money is. One of the suspects struck Williams in the back of the head with a rifle. Williams grabbed the rifle and a struggle ensued. As the struggle continued off camera, shots were fired and Williams was able to get one of the suspect’s rifle and return fire. As three of the suspects fled on foot, the driver, later identified as Haymer, fired three shots at Williams, then fled in his car.

Detective Robinson identified the last phone number that called Williams before the shooting and tracked that phone back to Dallas. The following day, Prince Haymer was apprehended in the gray Lexus hatchback and in possession of the phone that called Williams. Text messages and phone calls on Haymer’s phone led detectives to the four remaining suspects. Williams passed away in the hospital 15 days after being shot.

The jury returned a verdict of guilty on murder.

At punishment, prosecutors offered a cell phone video that was recorded the night of the murder where Haymer is making a rap video and displaying one of the firearms used in the murder. Judge John Roach, Jr., who presided over the case, sentenced Haymer to 75 years in prison.

Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Ashlyn Scott and Luke Calhoun prosecuted the case, aided by District Attorney Investigator Laurie Gibbs.

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